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 by which the younger woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern instructed 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 stated the sex was consensual.

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

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in prison, on the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

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

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

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

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

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts stated. “I need to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming ahead.”

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

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she said, quickly 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 decide instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s essential that she decided to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally determined to stroll out — those have been her decisions,” 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 residence to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Things have been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars had been made public concerning 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, picture and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect arms” used to the “great 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 stated, 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.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral intercourse, 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 additionally 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.