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 during which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment after the two 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, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive as life in prison, at the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his legal professional who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't determine individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady 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 dealt with the case.

“Last however not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “I want 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 started, earlier than 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 mentioned, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

During the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I think it’s necessary that she decided to stroll in the room, and he or she additionally decided to walk out — these were her choices,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang around” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues have been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She said ‘Sure.’ We received up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No particulars had been made public in regards to 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 particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power in the mistaken fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

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

“Words show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red 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 said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress 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 whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.