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 by which the young woman fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do this.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment after the 2 had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the intercourse was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I recognize your consideration ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 year in prison in Idaho. The utmost 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 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 attorney, Jon Cox, couldn't be immediately reached for remark after the trial.

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

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

“Last however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts said. “I wish 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 put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe stated.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do this,” she said, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

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

When she didn't, the choose advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” as a result of the defense could not cross-examine her.

Through the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley mentioned the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial realizing that Doe could not be able to testify.

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

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

“Things were going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger mentioned. “She mentioned ‘Certain.’ We got up, held arms 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 evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No details have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations turned public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced 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 the people who often harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the ground the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “power in the fallacious arms” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley mentioned, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she mentioned, 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 occur’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley stated.

But von Ehlinger’s legal professional told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “crimson herrings,” and mentioned von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he continuously carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the bed on 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 making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.