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 wherein the young lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty 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 Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty can 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 together with his attorney who removed 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 each other on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press usually does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on 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 handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts stated. “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 said.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, shortly strolling 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 choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe could not be capable to testify.

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

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

“Issues had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

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

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power in the unsuitable palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of law 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 injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one that 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 mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.