Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 in which the young woman 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 condo after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said 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 international object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, 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, however I appreciate your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive 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 along with his lawyer who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Related Press usually does not determine individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in 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 braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming forward.”

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 stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she mentioned, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to stroll in the room, and she or he also decided to walk out — those were her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Issues have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power in the unsuitable arms” 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 stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she mentioned, 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They stated 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 near the bed on 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 attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.