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

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence after the 2 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 representative, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as high as life in jail, on the decide’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 flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Related Press usually doesn't 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 dealt with the case.

“Last but not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts said. “I wish to acknowledge the braveness 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

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

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

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial realizing that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s necessary that she determined to walk within the room, and she additionally determined to walk out — these have been her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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

“Things were going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We obtained up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars were made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who incessantly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy in the incorrect fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that power 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.

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

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

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