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 that.”

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

On the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, but he later resigned.

Von Ehlinger, 39, was found guilty Friday of rape. He was found 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 Decide Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I appreciate your attention ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as excessive 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 removed gadgets 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 each other on the decision.

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

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

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

“Final however not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish 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, 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 that,” she mentioned, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the choose told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe might not be capable to testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his house to “hang out” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Issues were going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the night. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a query. No details have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and personal details about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy within the incorrect palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, 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 damage shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said 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 exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he ceaselessly 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 again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard whereas making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.