Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 through which the younger woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I appreciate your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as excessive as life in prison, 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 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 ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press usually doesn't establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

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

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the judge informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

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

“I believe it’s essential that she determined to walk in the room, and he or she also decided to walk out — those 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 decided to return to his residence to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he said.

“Issues were going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We received up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No details have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who incessantly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one that 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 whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.