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 in which the younger girl fled the witness stand during testimony, saying “I can’t do that.”

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.

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

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

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

Afterward, 4th District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury: “This has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, however I appreciate your consideration ... and onerous work.”

A felony rape conviction carries a minimum sentence of 1 12 months in jail in Idaho. The utmost penalty could be as excessive as life in prison, at the choose’s discretion. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 28.

As von Ehlinger was remanded into custody and handcuffed, he talked quietly together with his lawyer who eliminated gadgets from von Ehlinger’s pockets.

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

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

The Related Press usually does not identify individuals who say they've 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 Lawyer Jan Bennetts thanked the jury, investigators and the prosecutors who handled the case.

“Final however not least, it took an unbelievable quantity of braveness for the victim in this case, Jane Doe, to return 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 started, earlier than abruptly leaving the witness stand.

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

At that, she stood up.

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

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

When she didn't, the judge advised the jurors they needed to “strike (Doe’s testimony) from your minds as if it never occurred,” because the defense couldn't cross-examine her.

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

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

During his testimony Thursday, von Ehlinger often spoke in a clear, loud voice on to jurors, saying he and Doe decided to return to his house to “hang out” after eating at a flowery Boise restaurant. Then they started making out on the sofa, he mentioned.

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

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

When the allegations grew to become public — largely because of the legislative ethics investigation — Doe faced unrelenting harassment from some of von Ehlinger’s supporters. Her title, picture and private details about her life had been repeatedly publicized in “doxxing” incidents. One of the people who ceaselessly harassed her was within the courthouse to attend the trial, but legislation enforcement banned the man from the floor where the case was being heard.

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

“He used that power to rape and forcibly penetrate her,” Farley said, 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 present lack of consent. Excuses of ‘Why this shouldn’t happen’ show lack of consent. Yanking your head again and getting an injury shows lack of consent,” Farley said.

However von Ehlinger’s lawyer informed jurors the prosecution’s case was made up of “red herrings,” and stated von Ehlinger was a credible one that 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 compelled her to perform oral sex, and that she knew he often 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 hanging the wall or a headboard whereas attempting to jerk her head away from von Ehlinger’s grip.