The legal team representing former Idaho state representative Aaron Von Ehlinger, who is serving a 20-year sentence for his 2022 rape conviction, recently presented arguments to the Idaho Supreme Court, seeking a new trial based on alleged Sixth Amendment violations.
Von Ehlinger’s lawyers argue that the Confrontation Clause—granting the right to confront one’s accuser—was breached when his accuser left the stand before cross-examination. The prosecution’s case leaned heavily on statements from a forensic nurse who interviewed the victim post-testimony.
Von Ehlinger’s defense contends that this nurse relayed the accuser’s account without giving the defense an opportunity to cross-examine her, which they argue compromised his right to a fair trial.
Additionally, the defense questioned the forensic nurse’s testimony scope, arguing it extended beyond medical observation and ventured into detailing the alleged assault—an area they claim fell outside her professional capacity.
The state countered, asserting that the nurse’s testimony served a valid medical purpose and stayed within evidentiary limits, noting the defense did not object to her testimony at trial.
Should the Idaho Supreme Court rule in favor of Von Ehlinger, a retrial could be granted, potentially reshaping the case’s outcome.