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

The intern instructed 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 said the intercourse was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a international object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high as life in jail, on the choose’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 eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't determine people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return 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 began, earlier than 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 that,” she mentioned, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe might not be capable of testify.

“I think it’s necessary that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she additionally determined to walk out — these had been her choices,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condominium to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Issues were going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We obtained up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No particulars were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law 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 “power in the mistaken palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his side 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 intercourse, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed 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 again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.