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

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 intercourse 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 responsible of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I admire your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might be as excessive as life in jail, 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 objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s legal professional, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press usually does not establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on 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 unimaginable quantity of courage for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need 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 stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to find out 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,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s important that she decided to stroll within the room, and he or she also determined to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his house to “hang around” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Things have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested 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 name, picture and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, 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 back and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near 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 placing the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.