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

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 consultant, 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 learn, 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 unexpected circumstances, however I admire your attention ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one 12 months in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high as life in prison, at the judge’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

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

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

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

The Related Press usually does not identify 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 convention, Ada County Prosecuting Legal professional Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Last however not least, it took an unimaginable quantity of courage for the sufferer on this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts stated. “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 started, 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 choose 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 decide informed the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

“I feel it’s essential that she decided to walk in the room, and she also determined to walk out — those have been her selections,” Welsh said.

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

“Things had been going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Positive.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury requested a question. No particulars have been made public concerning 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 name, photo and personal details about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the individuals who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the person from the floor where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “energy in the unsuitable fingers” 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 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an damage reveals lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a reputable 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 while von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.