Former Idaho lawmaker found responsible 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 during which the younger lady fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex was consensual.

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

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision was read, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I appreciate your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive as life in jail, at the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press usually does not establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unimaginable amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts stated. “I want to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming forward.”

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

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

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to find her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she did not, the choose instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to walk in the room, and she also determined to stroll out — those have been her selections,” Welsh said.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condo to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and private details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power in the flawed hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power 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 several methods, she stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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 occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable person 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 while von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to 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 striking the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.