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

The intern instructed 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 said the sex was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I respect your attention ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can 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 with his attorney who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

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

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

“Final however not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “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 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 said, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second 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 to testify.

“I think it’s important that she determined to walk in the room, and she or he additionally determined to walk out — those have been her choices,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

“Things had been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details were made public about 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 identify, photo and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who frequently harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she stated, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 back and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.