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 through which the young woman 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 residence 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 representative, however he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found 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 throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your attention ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive 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 legal professional who eliminated objects 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 decision.

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

The Related Press usually doesn't determine people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts said. “I wish 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, before 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 that,” she mentioned, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

The choose 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 told the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, 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 knowing that Doe may not be capable of testify.

“I think it’s important that she determined to walk in the room, and he or she additionally decided to stroll out — those had been her decisions,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his residence to “hang out” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Issues were going nicely, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger stated. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We bought up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one point, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who incessantly 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.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect 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 power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

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

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one who 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 perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.