Former Idaho lawmaker found 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 in which the younger woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised 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 stated the sex was consensual.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon advised the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many sudden circumstances, but I admire your consideration ... and hard work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimal sentence of 1 12 months in prison in Idaho. The utmost penalty will be as high as life in jail, on 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 attorney who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

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

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

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable amount of braveness for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts stated. “I need 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, before abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she said, quickly strolling out of the courtroom.

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

When she did not, the decide informed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) out of your minds as if it by no means happened,” as a result of the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

In the course of the press conference, Deputy Prosecuting Legal professional Katelyn Farley mentioned the second Doe left the trial was “heart-wrenching,” however stated she and deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh had prepared for trial understanding that Doe may not be able to testify.

“I believe it’s essential that she determined to stroll in the room, and she or he additionally determined to walk out — these had been her selections,” Welsh mentioned.

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a transparent, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his condominium to “hang out” after eating at a elaborate Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

“Things were going well, and I requested (Doe) if she want to transfer to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She said ‘Sure.’ We acquired up, held fingers and walked into the bedroom.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday before the jury decided to interrupt for the evening. At one level, the choose summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested a question. No details were made public concerning the jury’s inquiry.

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe confronted unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her identify, photograph and personal particulars about her life were repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who steadily harassed her was in the courthouse to attend the trial, but regulation enforcement banned the man from the ground where the case was being heard.

Throughout closing arguments, Farley instructed jurors that the case was about “energy in the improper hands” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and bodily energy 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 several ways, she stated, highlighting the testimony of regulation enforcement investigators and a nurse sexual assault examiner who interviewed Doe after the alleged assault.

“Phrases show lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t occur’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an harm shows lack of consent,” Farley mentioned.

However von Ehlinger’s attorney instructed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a reputable one who willingly took the stand to share his side of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who performed the sexual assault exam testified earlier this week. They stated Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to carry out oral intercourse, and that she knew he incessantly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the mattress on the time of the assault. The nurse also testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard whereas trying to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.