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

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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty 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 told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I respect your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high as life in jail, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly with his legal professional who eliminated items 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 decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be instantly 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 girl 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 handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I wish to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming forward.”

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 said.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she stated, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

The judge 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 choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the moment 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 think it’s important that she determined to walk in the room, and she additionally determined to walk out — those had been her selections,” Welsh said.

During 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 around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Issues have been going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We got up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No particulars were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power within the incorrect fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

But von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had placed 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 again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.