Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 during which the younger girl 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 residence 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 discovered 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 Choose Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I respect your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could 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 with his legal professional 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 one another on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press usually doesn't establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl in this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come back forward,” Bennetts stated. “I want to acknowledge the braveness that she took in coming ahead.”

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 this,” she mentioned, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

The choose gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to seek out her to determine if she would return and resume her testimony.

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

Through the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley stated the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial figuring out that Doe may not be capable to testify.

“I believe it’s necessary that she determined to walk within the room, and he or she also determined to walk out — those were her decisions,” Welsh stated.

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

“Things were going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We got 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 interrupt for the night. At one point, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No details have been made public about the jury’s inquiry.

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

During closing arguments, Farley advised jurors that the case was about “power within the mistaken palms” used to the “nice 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 stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she said, highlighting the testimony of legislation 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’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and said 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 examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger forced her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he steadily carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from placing the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.