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

The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his condo after the 2 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, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, however I recognize your consideration ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty could be as high as life in jail, at the decide’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his attorney who removed 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 one another on the decision.

Von Ehlinger’s attorney, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for comment after the trial.

The Associated Press typically does not 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 Attorney Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an incredible amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want 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 began, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

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

The judge 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 told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial knowing that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I think it’s important that she decided to walk within the room, and she additionally decided to walk out — those had 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 condominium to “hang around” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he said.

“Things were going nicely, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to transfer to the bed room,” von Ehlinger stated. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We obtained up, held palms and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the night. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details had 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 name, picture and private particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power in the flawed arms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of law 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’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he ceaselessly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress at 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.