Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 through which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern advised 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 stated the intercourse was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, but 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 read, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty might 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 legal professional who eliminated objects 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 each other on the verdict.

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

The Related Press generally does not identify people who say they have 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 Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final however not least, it took an incredible quantity of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming ahead.”

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 put 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 walking out of the courtroom.

The choose gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to seek out her to find out if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she did not, the choose 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 defense could not cross-examine her.

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

“I feel it’s necessary that she decided to walk within the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — those were her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Things have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She stated ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details have been made public in regards to 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, photograph and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the wrong hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.