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 in which the young girl 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 condominium after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex 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 found not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision 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 surprising circumstances, however I recognize your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could 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 with his attorney who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Related Press typically does not establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, 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 incredible amount of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “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 began, before 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 said, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the judge told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I think it’s essential that she decided to stroll in the room, and he or she also determined to stroll out — those were her selections,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his residence to “hang around” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We got up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who incessantly 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.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy in the improper arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of law 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 ceaselessly 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 back of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.