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

The intern told 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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I respect your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as high 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 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 flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press typically doesn't determine individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge 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 judge told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe might not be able to testify.

“I think it’s necessary that she determined to walk in the room, and she also decided to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh said.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condo to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things had been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Certain.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No particulars have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and private particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who regularly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy in the incorrect fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley stated.

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

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had positioned 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 again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.