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

The intern informed 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 said the intercourse was consensual.

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

Von Ehlinger, 39, was discovered 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 Choose Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I respect your attention ... and exhausting work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of one yr in jail in Idaho. The maximum penalty might be as high as life in jail, on the choose’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, however once they reached a decrease ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the decision.

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

The Associated Press usually doesn't determine 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.

“Last but not least, it took an incredible amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to return ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I need 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 started, earlier than 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 this,” she said, shortly walking out of the courtroom.

The judge 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 choose told the jurors they had to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never happened,” because the defense could not cross-examine her.

Throughout the press convention, Deputy Prosecuting Lawyer Katelyn Farley said the moment Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” but mentioned she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had ready for trial figuring out that Doe could not be capable of testify.

“I believe it’s necessary that she determined to walk in the room, and he or she also determined to stroll out — those were her choices,” Welsh said.

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

“Things have been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she want to move to the bed room,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We got up, held hands and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers as a result of the jury asked a query. No particulars had been made public in regards to the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely due to the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, photograph and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who frequently harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the floor the place the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy in the unsuitable hands” used to the “nice devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley stated.

“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 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 happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury exhibits lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible person who 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 mentioned Doe reported being pinned down while von Ehlinger pressured her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he often carried a handgun and had placed it on a dresser near the mattress at the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the back of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.