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

The intern informed 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 mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered guilty Friday of rape. He was discovered not responsible 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 Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I admire your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty could 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 with his attorney who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a decrease floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally does not establish individuals 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 Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Last however not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts stated. “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 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 this,” she mentioned, shortly walking 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 choose instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I think it’s essential that she determined to walk within the room, and she or he also decided to stroll out — those have been her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Issues have been going effectively, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

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

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who continuously harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power within the mistaken arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said 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 whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.