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 wherein the young lady fled the witness stand during 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.

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 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 uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high as life in prison, at 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 objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but once they reached a lower floor they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Related Press generally does not determine individuals who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

In a press conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “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 began, before 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 said, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

The decide 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 told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley stated the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe could not be able to testify.

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his condominium to “hang out” after consuming at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Issues have been going effectively, and I requested (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We bought up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a question. No details had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the ground where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of methods, she said, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an damage exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

But von Ehlinger’s lawyer instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson 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 exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had placed 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 hanging the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.