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 by which the younger lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium 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 consultant, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I recognize your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as excessive as life in prison, on the choose’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, but once 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 comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually does not identify people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in 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 quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts said. “I need to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming forward.”

Doe testified on the second day of the trial. She haltingly described the moments the alleged assault started, earlier than 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 said, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

The decide 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 told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — these have been her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his residence to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Things were going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until 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 because the jury requested a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who incessantly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation 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 “energy within the mistaken fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

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

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his side 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 pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he often 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 striking the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.