Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 in which the young girl fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated 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 responsible of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I recognize your attention ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high as life in jail, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s lawyer, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press usually doesn't establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming ahead.”

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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

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

The choose 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 advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe may not be capable to testify.

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to walk within the room, and he or she also decided to stroll out — these have been her choices,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his house to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues had been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We got up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power in the flawed fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

“Words show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.