Former Idaho lawmaker found guilty of raping intern

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A former Idaho lawmaker was convicted Friday of raping a 19-year-old legislative intern after a dramatic trial through which the young girl fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found guilty Friday of rape. He was found not guilty of sexual penetration with a international object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was read, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I respect your attention ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as high as life in prison, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his lawyer who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually does not determine people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming forward.”

Doe testified on the second day of the trial. She haltingly described the moments the alleged assault started, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

The decide gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she didn't, the judge instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe might not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s vital that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally determined to stroll out — these have been her selections,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condo to “hang around” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Things were going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Certain.’ We got up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details were made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who continuously harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power within the wrong fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.