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 lady fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

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.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state consultant, however he later resigned.

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and laborious work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty can be as high 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 attorney who eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Related Press generally doesn't establish 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 conference, Ada County Prosecuting Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final however not least, it took an incredible quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want 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 place his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe said.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, rapidly walking 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 did not, the decide informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but said she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe could not be capable to testify.

“I believe it’s important that she decided to walk in the room, and she or he also determined to walk out — those have been her selections,” Welsh stated.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe determined to return to his residence to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he stated.

“Issues had been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She said ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held palms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to break for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars had been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and personal particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who regularly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however regulation enforcement banned the man from the ground the place the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy within the flawed hands” used to the “great 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 mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley stated.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible one that willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had positioned 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 again of her head from placing the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.