Former Idaho lawmaker discovered 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 in which the young girl fled the witness stand throughout testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

The intern advised a Statehouse supervisor that Aaron von Ehlinger raped her at his apartment after the 2 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, however 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 decision was read, as he has throughout the trial.

Afterward, 4th District Decide Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an uncommon case attended by many surprising circumstances, but I admire your consideration ... and arduous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty may be as excessive as life in jail, at the choose’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 eliminated items from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

The prosecution remained stoic as they left the courtroom, however as soon as they reached a lower ground they stopped to briefly to congratulate one another on the verdict.

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

The Associated Press generally does not establish individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted, and has referred to the girl on this case as “Jane Doe” at her request.

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

“Final but not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim on this case, Jane Doe, to come ahead,” Bennetts mentioned. “I want to acknowledge the courage that she took in coming forward.”

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 mentioned.

At that, she stood up.

“I can’t do that,” she stated, rapidly 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 decide instructed the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it by no means happened,” because the protection couldn't cross-examine her.

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

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

Throughout his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger usually spoke in a clear, loud voice directly to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his apartment to “hang around” after consuming at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they began making out on the couch, he said.

“Issues have been going well, and I asked (Doe) if she wish to move to the bedroom,” von Ehlinger said. “She mentioned ‘Positive.’ We acquired up, held fingers and walked into the bed room.”

Deliberations stretched for seven hours until nearly 8 p.m. Thursday earlier than the jury determined to break for the evening. At one level, the judge summoned the attorneys to his chambers because the jury requested 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 faced unrelenting harassment from a few of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her name, picture and private particulars about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of many people who steadily harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but law enforcement banned the person from the ground where the case was being heard.

During closing arguments, Farley informed jurors that the case was about “power within the wrong fingers” used to the “great devastation” of Doe. Von Ehlinger had social, political and physical power over the petite intern, Farley said.

“He used that energy to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, pointing at von Ehlinger. Doe resisted in several ways, she said, 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 happen’ present lack of consent. Yanking your head back and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s legal professional informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “purple herrings,” and said von Ehlinger was a credible person who willingly took the stand to share his aspect of the story.

The investigators and the nurse who carried out the sexual assault examination testified earlier this week. They said Doe reported being pinned down whereas von Ehlinger compelled her to perform oral intercourse, and that she knew he ceaselessly carried a handgun and had positioned it on a dresser near the bed on the time of the assault. The nurse additionally testified that Doe had a “goose egg” on the again of her head from hanging the wall or a headboard while attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.