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 through which the young lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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 said 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 responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered not responsible 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 Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I recognize your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as high as life in prison, 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 lawyer who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

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

The Associated Press typically does not identify individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in 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 dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “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 began, before 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, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe could not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s necessary that she decided to stroll within the room, and she or he also determined to walk out — these had been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condominium to “hang out” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Things were going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We got up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the person from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “energy in the fallacious arms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, 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 again and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.