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

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the intercourse was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered 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 Choose Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as excessive as life in prison, at the judge’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 gadgets 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 one another on the verdict.

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

The Related Press typically does not identify individuals who say they've 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 Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts said. “I want 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 began, before 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 stated, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

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

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 consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues had been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

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

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power in the flawed fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.