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

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

On 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 guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as high as life in prison, on the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his lawyer who eliminated 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 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 lady 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 dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I need 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 said, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally decided to walk out — those have been her selections,” Welsh said.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condo to “hang around” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Things were going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We bought up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details were 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 title, photo and private particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of 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 shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from putting the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.