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 during which the young girl 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 apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse was consensual.

On 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 found not guilty 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 Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I admire your attention ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as high as life in jail, at the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Related Press generally doesn't determine individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady 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 handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I want 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, before 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 this,” she said, shortly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the judge instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

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

“I believe it’s vital that she decided to stroll within the room, and she or he also determined to stroll out — these were her decisions,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Things were going well, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a question. No particulars had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and private details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power in the flawed palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of law 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 happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near 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 while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.