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

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the 2 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, 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 verdict was learn, as he has all through the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high 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 along with his lawyer who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press usually doesn't determine people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional 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 on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want 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 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, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

The decide 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 decide advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she also decided to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

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

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No details have been made public concerning 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 personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy in the improper arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy 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 stated, 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 back and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.