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 wherein the younger girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, however 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 learn, as he has all through the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost 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 together with his legal professional who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a decrease flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press generally does not identify individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in 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 dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” 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 began, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the decide advised 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 conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be able to testify.

“I think it’s essential that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she additionally determined to stroll out — those had been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his residence to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things were going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

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

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near 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 placing the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.