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 in which the younger girl fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, but he later resigned.

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision was read, as he has all through the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high 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 together with his lawyer who eliminated gadgets 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 one another on the verdict.

Von Ehlinger’s lawyer, Jon Cox, could not be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Associated Press usually doesn't establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl 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.

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts said. “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 started, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she stated, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the choose instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe might not be capable to testify.

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally determined to walk out — these have been her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

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 apartment to “hang around” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Issues have been going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No particulars have been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photo and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power 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 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed 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 side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.