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 during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern told 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 stated the intercourse was consensual.

On 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 discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as high as life in jail, on the decide’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 removed objects 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 each other on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't identify individuals 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 dealt with the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming ahead.”

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 said, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not be capable to testify.

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

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his apartment to “hang out” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details had been 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 title, photograph and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.