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 girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered 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 advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high as life in jail, 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, however as soon as they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't determine people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, 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 incredible amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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, earlier than 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 this,” she mentioned, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

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

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

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condominium to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Issues had been going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details had 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 a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the fallacious arms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she mentioned, 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 back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect 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 whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he ceaselessly 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 back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.