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 by 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 house after the two 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 consultant, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will 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 with his attorney who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally does not determine people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on 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.

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “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, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

The decide 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 decide instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s vital that she determined to walk in the room, and she additionally determined to stroll out — those have been her selections,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his apartment to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Things had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided 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 about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who regularly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power in the flawed palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect 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 compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.