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 lady 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 apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse 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 found not guilty of sexual penetration with a international object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I admire your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in prison, on the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

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

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

The Associated Press typically does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on 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.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the judge told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe might not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s vital that she determined to walk within the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — these were her decisions,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his apartment to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues have been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but 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 “power within the incorrect arms” used to the “nice 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 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 present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned 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 examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while 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 close to the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.