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 by which the younger woman 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 house after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as high as life in jail, at the choose’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 objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press generally does not identify individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on 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 dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts stated. “I need 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 began, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

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 find out if she would return and resume her testimony.

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

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to stroll in the room, and she or he also decided to stroll out — those were her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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 apartment to “hang out” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No particulars were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who frequently harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy within the improper palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.