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 in which the younger woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condominium after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found responsible Friday of rape. He was discovered not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the decision was read, as he has all through the trial.

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

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty will be as excessive as life in prison, on the choose’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 gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't identify individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on 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 but not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need to acknowledge the courage 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 stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she said, rapidly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

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

During the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe could not be capable of testify.

“I feel it’s necessary that she determined to walk in the room, and she also decided to stroll out — those had been her choices,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang around” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began 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 mentioned ‘Certain.’ We received up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the night. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details have been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

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

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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 back and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However 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 who willingly took the stand to share his side 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 incessantly 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 hanging the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.