Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 young lady 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 condominium after the 2 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 consultant, however he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered responsible Friday of rape. He was found not guilty 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 Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I respect your attention ... and arduous 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 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 lawyer who eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Related Press usually does not identify people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman 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.

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “I wish to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming forward.”

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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

The choose gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to find 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) from your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I feel it’s essential that she determined to walk within the room, and she also decided to walk out — those were her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his apartment to “hang out” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Things have been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Sure.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No particulars had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the wrong palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed 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 making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.