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 told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said 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 discovered not responsible of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as excessive 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 along with his legal professional who eliminated objects 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, could not be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

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

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts stated. “I want to acknowledge the courage 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 said.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she did not, the judge instructed 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.

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

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she also decided to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a transparent, loud voice on 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 stated.

“Issues were going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We received up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No details had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and private particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power within the incorrect fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

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

However von Ehlinger’s attorney told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas 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 on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.