Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 through which the younger woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium after the 2 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, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can 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 with his lawyer who eliminated items 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 one another on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s lawyer, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press generally doesn't establish people 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 Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish 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 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 mentioned, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she decided to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — those had been her decisions,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues have been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We got up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the mistaken arms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, 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 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 mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed 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 side 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 while 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 close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.