Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 by which the young lady fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

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 stated the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I recognize your attention ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as excessive 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 together with his lawyer 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 one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl 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 however not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts said. “I need 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 started, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” 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) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not be capable of testify.

“I feel it’s necessary that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he also decided to stroll out — those have been her selections,” Welsh stated.

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

“Issues have been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Sure.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars were made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but 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 incorrect fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised 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 aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination 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 bed on 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.