Former Republican Idaho state lawmaker found guilty of raping intern
A former Republican Idaho state lawmaker has been found guilty of raping an intern.
Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, was convicted on Friday of raping a 19-year-old legislative intern following a trial during which the intern left the witness stand as she was testifying, saying “I can’t do this”.
The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that the rape occurred at Von Ehlinger’s apartment following a dinner the two had at a restaurant in the state capital of Boise in March of last year. He has claimed that it was consensual.
Von Ehlinger was a state representative from Lewiston at the time but he has since resigned.
While he was found guilty of rape, he was found not guilty of sexual penetration with a foreign object.
When the verdict was announced, Von Ehlinger listened calmly, much like he did throughout the court proceedings. He spoke quietly with his lawyer, who then took items from his client’s pockets while the former lawmaker was handcuffed.
Fourth District Judge Michael Reardon told the jury after the verdict that, “this has been an unusual case attended by many unexpected circumstances, but I appreciate your attention ... and hard work”.
Von Ehlinger is set to be sentenced on 28 July.
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