A former Idaho legislator changed into convicted of raping a teen that interned at the statehouse following a dramatic trial where the sufferer walked off the witness stand.
A jury discovered that Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, became guilty of raping a 19-year-historical legislative intern at his condominium after eating dinner with her at a Boise restaurant ultimate March.
Von Ehlinger, a Republican who stepped down from his put up as a Lewiston consultant a month after being accused, changed into found no longer guilty of sexual penetration with a overseas object. He maintained the stumble upon became consensual.
the former lawmaker faces a minimum of twelve months in detention center and up to existence behind bars at his sentencing, scheduled for July.
His nameless accuser took the stand during the 2d day of the trial before unexpectedly altering her intellect.
"He tried to position his fingers between my legs and that i closed my knees," she spoke of, earlier than standing up.
"i will't do this," she mentioned earlier than briskly leaving the courtroom.
When she did not return, her testimony was from the record since the defense didn't have the chance to move-assess her.
Von Ehlinger faces as much as lifestyles in penitentiary at his sentencing in July. James Dawson/Boise State Public Radio, Pool by the use of AP Prosecutors praised the young lady's bravery at a press convention after the trial.
"It took a fantastic amount of courage for the sufferer in this case, Jane Doe, to come forward," Ada County Prosecuting attorney Jan Bennetts spoke of.
"I wish to renowned the braveness that she took in coming forward."
Von Ehlinger remained calm when the decision became study following seven hours of deliberation. He had told the jury he requested the intern to "hang out" following dinner at a elaborate restaurant and observed they ended up making out at his apartment.
"things were going smartly, and i requested (Doe) if she would like to movement to the bedroom," von Ehlinger spoke of. "She mentioned 'sure.' We bought up, held palms and walked into the bed room."
Prosecutors argued the then-consultant abused "social, political and physical power over the petite intern."
"He used that vigor to rape and forcibly penetrate her," Deputy Prosecuting lawyer Katelyn Farley told the jury throughout closing arguments.
A nurse testified that the teen suffered a "goose egg" on the lower back of her head when she hit it making an attempt to escape from von Ehlinger, who she talked about pinned her down and forced her to operate oral sex whereas displaying his gun on a dresser close his mattress.
defense lawyers argued the prosecution's case turned into full of "pink herrings," and talked about von Ehlinger's testimony become credible.
an extra former staffer and a lobbyist and told a Boise ethics committee that von Ehlinger's makes an attempt at flirting had made them "uncomfortable" last April.
Publicity from the legislative investigation into the Republican's habits led to the accuser being doxxed on-line through some of his political supporters. one in all her harassers tried to attend the trial but was stored out of the court.
With AP wires
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