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 girl fled the witness stand during 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 stated the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as high as life in jail, on 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 lawyer who removed gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

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

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” 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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the judge advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I believe it’s necessary that she determined to walk in the room, and she additionally determined to stroll out — these had been her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his apartment to “hang around” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Issues have been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No details had been made public about 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, photograph and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power within the mistaken palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she stated, 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 again and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple 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 carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to 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.