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 through which the young woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

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

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I recognize your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high 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 with his attorney who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a decrease flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press usually doesn't determine people who say they've 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 Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I wish 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 started, 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 this,” she stated, shortly strolling 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 didn't, the decide informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I believe it’s essential that she determined to walk in the room, and he or she additionally determined to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang around” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Issues were going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the incorrect hands” used to the “nice 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 a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.