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

The intern advised 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 responsible Friday of rape. He was found not responsible 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 Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as high as life in jail, at the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly with his lawyer who removed objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Related Press typically does not establish people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in 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 however not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want 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, before 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 stated, rapidly walking out of the courtroom.

The judge gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to find out if she would return and resume her testimony.

When she did not, the decide advised the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial understanding that Doe might not have the ability to testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condo to “hang out” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things have been going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held arms and walked into the bed room.”

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

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photo and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who regularly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the mistaken fingers” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical 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 several ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of law 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 again and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable 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 perform oral sex, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.