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 younger 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 apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger stated the sex was consensual.

At the time, the Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative, but he later resigned.

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

Von Ehlinger sat calmly as the verdict was read, as he has all through the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Choose Michael Reardon instructed the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I appreciate your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 yr in prison in Idaho. The maximum penalty may be as excessive 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 legal professional who eliminated objects from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, but 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 immediately reached for remark after the trial.

The Related Press usually doesn't identify people who say they've been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the woman 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 dealt with the case.

“Final but not least, it took an unimaginable amount of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come back ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I wish to acknowledge the courage 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 stated, quickly walking out of the courtroom.

The choose gave the prosecuting attorneys 10 minutes to search out her to determine 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 never occurred,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

During 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 ready for trial understanding that Doe could not have the ability to testify.

“I feel it’s vital that she determined to stroll within the room, and she also decided to stroll out — these were her choices,” Welsh mentioned.

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

“Things had been going properly, and I asked (Doe) if she would like to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She stated ‘Certain.’ We obtained up, held arms and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until practically 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury determined to interrupt for the night. At one level, the decide summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury asked a query. No particulars had been made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations became public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photo and private particulars about her life have been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many individuals who regularly harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the ground where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in a number of ways, she mentioned, highlighting the testimony of legislation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Words present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury reveals lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer told jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “pink herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one who willingly took the stand to share his facet 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 carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he frequently carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser close to the bed at the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from putting the wall or a headboard while making an attempt to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.