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

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I recognize your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as excessive as life in prison, on the decide’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 removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, could not be instantly reached for comment after the trial.

The Related Press generally does not 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 conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” 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 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 this,” she said, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe may not have the ability to testify.

“I think it’s necessary that she determined to walk in the room, and she also decided to walk out — these 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 decided to return to his condominium to “hang out” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Issues had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details have 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 some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy within the mistaken fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical 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 methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of law 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned 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 trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.