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Former Idaho lawmaker found responsible of raping intern


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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 girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, 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 verdict was learn, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty will 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 with his lawyer who removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press usually doesn't 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 Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the judge told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe may not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s essential that she determined to walk within the room, and she or he also determined to stroll out — those had been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his residence to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things had been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect 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 whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.

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