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 girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern informed 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 stated the sex was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, but he later resigned.

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

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

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as excessive as life in jail, at 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 lawyer who eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press usually doesn't establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible quantity of courage for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I need 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, before 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 this,” she stated, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I believe it’s essential that she decided to walk within the room, and he or she also decided to walk out — these have been her selections,” Welsh stated.

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

“Issues were going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the unsuitable hands” 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 said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

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

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.