Former Idaho lawmaker found responsible 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 through which the young girl 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 residence after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, however he later resigned.

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was read, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as high 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 attorney who eliminated gadgets 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 legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press generally doesn't identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer in 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 began, 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 this,” she mentioned, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the choose advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I think it’s important that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally decided to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condominium to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Issues had been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We got up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No details were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power within the incorrect palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson 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 said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently 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 striking the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.