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

The intern informed a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his residence 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 consultant, but he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I appreciate your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in jail, at the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however once they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the verdict.

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

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

In a press convention, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who dealt with the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

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

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe may not have the ability to testify.

“I believe it’s essential that she decided to walk in the room, and he or she additionally determined to stroll out — those were her decisions,” Welsh stated.

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his residence to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the couch, he mentioned.

“Things had been going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she wish to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We got up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No details had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who frequently harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however law enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “power within the unsuitable hands” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical 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 law enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who 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 mentioned 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 near the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.