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

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse was consensual.

At 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 international object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was read, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I appreciate your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will 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 together with his lawyer who removed gadgets 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 verdict.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't determine people 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 convention, 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 sufferer in 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 began, before 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 choose gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to find out if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she didn't, the choose instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be capable of testify.

“I think it’s essential that she determined to stroll in the room, and she additionally determined to stroll out — these were her selections,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his apartment to “hang out” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Things had been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We received up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who continuously harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy in the incorrect hands” used to the “great 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 several ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said 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 said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to carry out 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.