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 in which the young woman 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 apartment 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, however he later resigned.

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might 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 legal professional 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 floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, couldn't be instantly reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press typically does not determine individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in 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 dealt with the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable amount of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “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 started, before 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 this,” she mentioned, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe might not be capable of testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she determined to stroll in the room, and she additionally decided to stroll out — those have been her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his residence to “hang around” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Issues were going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Certain.’ We bought up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable 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 said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had placed 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 while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.