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 younger woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised 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 stated the sex 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 discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in prison 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 attorney who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease flooring 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 doesn't determine individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in 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 dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts said. “I want to acknowledge the courage 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 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 decide gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to find out if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she didn't, the choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues were going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

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

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few 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 continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the wrong fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, 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 show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable person who 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress 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 while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.