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 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 house after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.

At 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 decision was learn, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty may 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 along with his attorney who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

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

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe might not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to walk within the room, and he or she also decided to walk out — these had been her choices,” Welsh stated.

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

“Things were going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who regularly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy in the flawed hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible person 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 said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.