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 throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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 mentioned 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 responsible Friday of rape. He was found not guilty 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 told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I appreciate your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty can 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 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 instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press typically does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional 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 return forward,” Bennetts stated. “I wish 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 this,” she mentioned, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

The judge 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 judge informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

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

“I think it’s necessary that she decided to stroll within the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — these had been her selections,” Welsh stated.

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 house to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he said.

“Issues had been going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the wrong hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy 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 several methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect 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 forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the bed at 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.