Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 by which the younger woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern advised 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 responsible Friday of rape. He was found not responsible of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was read, 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 unexpected circumstances, however I respect your attention ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high as life in jail, at 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 attorney who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a lower ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Related Press typically doesn't identify people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady 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.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the judge informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe could not be capable of testify.

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

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

“Issues were going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details had been made public in regards to 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 title, picture and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the fallacious hands” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily 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.

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

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

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