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 in which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence 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 representative, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not responsible of sexual penetration with a international object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive as life in prison, at the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly with his legal professional who eliminated 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 each other on the verdict.

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

The Related Press generally doesn't establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman 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 handled the case.

“Final however not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish 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 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, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

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

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe may not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to walk within the room, and she also decided to walk out — those have been her choices,” Welsh said.

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 house to “hang out” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things have been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who ceaselessly 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.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the unsuitable fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

However von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he often 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.