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

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the 2 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 representative, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered responsible 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 Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, however 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 could be as excessive 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 together with his attorney who removed items 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 lawyer, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press typically doesn't identify individuals 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 Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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 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 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 didn't, the choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe might not have the ability to testify.

“I feel it’s necessary that she decided to walk in the room, and she or he also decided to stroll out — these had been her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condominium to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Things had been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “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 determined to break for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No particulars had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy within the improper hands” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power 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 present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.