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 instructed 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 stated the intercourse was consensual.

At 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 Decide Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, however I respect your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 year in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty can be as excessive as life in jail, at the decide’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 items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but as soon as they reached a lower flooring they stopped to briefly to congratulate each other on the decision.

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

The Associated Press generally doesn't establish people who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the lady on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Last but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return forward,” Bennetts stated. “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 began, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

“He tried to put his fingers between my legs and I closed my knees,” Doe mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

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

The choose 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 had 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.

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

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger typically spoke in a transparent, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his residence to “hang out” after consuming at a fancy Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the sofa, he stated.

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

Deliberations stretched for seven hours till almost 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one point, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a query. No details were made public about the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, picture and personal details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who often harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, however legislation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley told jurors that the case was about “energy in the fallacious palms” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical energy over the petite intern, Farley mentioned.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley stated, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several 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 back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

But von Ehlinger’s attorney advised jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he regularly carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser close to the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from striking the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.