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

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

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive as life in prison, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his lawyer who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Related Press typically does not determine people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts stated. “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 started, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge 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 decide advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

During the press convention, 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 knowing that Doe could not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s essential that she determined to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally decided to walk out — these have been her selections,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condominium to “hang out” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Issues have been going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars were made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who frequently harassed her was in 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 advised jurors that the case was about “power in the unsuitable fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy 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 a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words present 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 mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.