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

The intern informed 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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as high as life in prison, on the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his attorney who eliminated gadgets 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 verdict.

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

The Associated Press typically does not identify 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 convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts said. “I want 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, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

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

The decide 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 told the jurors they needed 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 stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe might not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s vital that she determined to walk in the room, and she additionally decided to walk out — those were her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his residence to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues had been going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No particulars have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was within 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 informed jurors that the case was about “power within the unsuitable palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she stated, 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 injury shows lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he continuously 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 again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.