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

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

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered guilty Friday of rape. He was found not responsible 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 Judge Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in jail, 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 removed items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Related 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 convention, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need to acknowledge the braveness 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 said.

At that, she stood up.

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

The choose 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 decide instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s important that she decided to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — those have been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his house to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues were going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one who 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress on 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 whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.