Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 younger girl 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 house after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex was consensual.

At 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 international object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was learn, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I admire your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as high 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 along with his legal professional 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 each other on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s lawyer, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press usually doesn't establish individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on 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 but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts stated. “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 this,” she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

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

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

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

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

“Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No particulars have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation 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 “energy within the mistaken fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she mentioned, 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 again and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally 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.