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 wherein the young woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex 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 found not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon informed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I admire your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as high as life in prison, on the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly along with his legal professional 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 flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally does not determine individuals 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 convention, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts stated. “I wish 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 said.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I think it’s vital that she decided to walk in the room, and she additionally decided to walk out — these have been her selections,” Welsh stated.

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

“Issues had been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Certain.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No details have been made public concerning 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 details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however 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 “power in the improper hands” 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 a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one 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 stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on 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.