Former Idaho lawmaker discovered responsible 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 lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern instructed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his house after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the intercourse 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 found not guilty 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 Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty might 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 attorney 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 floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press usually doesn't establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady 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 however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts said. “I want 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 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 that,” she mentioned, quickly strolling 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 needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I feel it’s necessary that she determined to stroll within the room, and he or she additionally determined to walk out — these had been her selections,” Welsh said.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condo to “hang around” after eating at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he said.

“Issues were going properly, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who continuously harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the person from the floor the place the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she said, 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 exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

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

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.