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

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence 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 discovered guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not responsible 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 Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I respect your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in jail, at the decide’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, however once they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

The Related Press usually doesn't determine people 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 conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

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

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, shortly 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 instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe may not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s important that she determined to walk in the room, and she additionally determined to stroll out — those were her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues have been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power within the fallacious palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, 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.

“Words show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable person who 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 whereas von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed 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.