Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 younger lady 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 condominium after the two 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 consultant, but he later resigned.

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high as life in prison, on the choose’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 eliminated items 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 decision.

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

The Related Press generally does not establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in 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 unbelievable quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming ahead.”

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 stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” 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 needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she determined to walk in the room, and she additionally determined to walk out — these had 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 decided to return to his apartment to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things have been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

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

When the allegations turned 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 continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the fallacious hands” 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 mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she stated, 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson 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 carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.