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 woman 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 residence after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger mentioned the intercourse was consensual.

On 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 guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object.

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I recognize your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as high 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 along with his lawyer who eliminated gadgets 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 verdict.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't determine people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I need 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 began, earlier than 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 this,” she said, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the judge instructed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection could not cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial knowing that Doe may not have the ability to testify.

“I believe it’s important that she decided to walk within the room, and she also decided to stroll out — these have been her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Things had been going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Sure.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, photograph and private details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy in the wrong palms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power 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 several ways, she mentioned, 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a reputable one that willingly took the stand to share his facet of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on 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 whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.