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

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

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, but he later resigned.

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision was read, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I recognize your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as high as life in prison, at the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his lawyer 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 flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally does not determine individuals 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 Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts said. “I want 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, 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 did not, the decide informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 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 might not be capable to testify.

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

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condo to “hang out” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Certain.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No particulars had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had placed 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 back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.