Son of Bermuda's Leader to Face Felony Sex Charges in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – A doctor who is the son of Bermuda's leader was ordered to stand trial Wednesday on 33 counts of molesting female patients at Los Angeles medical clinics where he practiced.

The decision by Superior Court Judge William R. Hollingsworth Jr. came after a week of testimony from 12 women, including an undercover vice officer and a 15-year-old girl. They testified that Kevin Antario Brown, the 37-year-old son of Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown, touched them inappropriately. One woman said he raped her.

Brown has pleaded not guilty to 33 felony sex counts involving 12 alleged victims over five years. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

Brown, who is free on $4 million bail, was ordered to appear for arraignment Feb. 25.

The judge heard vigorous arguments for dismissal from Brown's lawyer, Blair Berk, who claimed that many of the women were inconsistent in what they testified to during the preliminary hearing and what they had told police. She said some came forward long after the alleged incidents only because they learned on TV broadcasts that Brown had been arrested.

The judge said he found the women believable and that the inconsistencies were not significant enough to warrant dismissal of charges.

"All of the witnesses were very credible including the (undercover) officer who testified," he said.

Berk said later, "Dr. Brown will continue to vigorously defend his factual innocence in this case." She added that "the showing required for probable cause for a preliminary hearing is obviously extremely low."

She said she could not comment on the facts of the case because of a court order governing Brown's bail.

Deputy District Attorney Ann Marie Wise said outside court: "I think it was an appropriate outcome. ... I don't believe there were any substantial inconsistencies."

She said the alleged assaults occurred at three clinics where Brown worked, including a weight loss clinic.

Some of the women testified that they came to Brown with complaints such as the flu or an ankle injury and suddenly found themselves being subjected to breast and pelvic exams.