Keith Brown, “Devoutly Mormon” Father & Former Manager of Five Browns Piano Clan, Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Daughters… After “Accident” That Looks Like Attempt to Kill Himself and His Wife (with News Video)
The real question: What did Mormon church officials know, and when did they know it?
But first: Let’s back up this truck, and get to what we do know.
The short version: Five siblings become famous playing piano, selling records & selling out concerts, while Mom, Dad, and kiddies alike wax sincere about their deep and abiding faith in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family is portrayed as epitome of wholesome Mormonosity — until the three daughters accuse Daddy of sexually molesting them for many years. Daddy takes Mommy on “ski trip”; on way home, drives Porsche over 300-foot cliff. Both survive. Daddy confesses: While progeny plunked pianos, Daddy diddled daughters.
The long version: The 5 Browns (or Five Browns, if you prefer) — Desirae, Deondra, Greg, Melody and Ryan — are young pianists (now in their 20s and 30s), whose fame (at least among the green Jell-O and funeral potatoes set) as a Model Mormon Show-Biz Family is second only to that of the Osmonds’. Home-schooled and prone to jabbering endlessly about “Heavenly Father,” the undeniably talented & precocious piano prodigies caused quite a buzz when all five attended Juilliard… at the same time (the three youngest entering the prep school, and with Mommy and Daddy Brown moving to New York for the duration, and then moving back to Utah).
On February 10, 2011, court documents were filed by the three Brown daughters alleging sexual abuse detailed over three specific periods between 1990 and 1998.
Daddy’s criminal charges: One first-degree felony count of sodomy on a child and two second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child, to which he pleaded guilty.
What really makes us sick: Oh, sure, we’re disgusted beyond words by Keith Brown’s actions, but we’re just as disgusted by this:
Utah County prosecutor David Sturgill said Lone Peak police brought the case to his office last year.[Defense attorney Steven Shapiro] couldn’t say exactly when Brown first spoke to police, but said the father first went to his Mormon church leader to confess. Sturgill wouldn’t comment further on the remarks.
Police were first contacted by Brown’s daughters.
Catch that? Keith Brown confessed to his Mormon ward bishop — but police didn’t hear about it until Brown’s daughters filed charges.
Gosh, where have we heard something like that before — a Mormon confessing his crimes to his bishop, and nothing happening until the victim(s) went to the cops?
Oh, yeah! We remember…!
Susan Brock: Susan Brock: What Did LDS Church Officials Know, And When Did They Know It?,” ConBab, January 28, 2011
Stephen R. Young: “‘Clergy Privilege’: Free Pass for Child Abusers and Their Enablers Must End,” Lavender Newswire December 13, 2010
(See also here on ConBab; and here: “SNAP Issues Press Statement on Idaho “Clergy Privilege” Child Molestation Case,” Lavender Newswire, December 14, 2010.)
Strangely: The 5 Browns official site, the5browns.com, is offline as of this writing. The reason it’s strange is that the kids (the girls, at least) have “waived anonymity” in the case (and, anyway, it’s not like nobody knows who they are) — so you’d think they’d leave their site up. If you want to check out the site as it was, the Wayback Machine has caches going back to August, 2008 (well, at least until the Browns realize nothing every really disappears on the Intertubes).
This makes us wonder — as does the press statement below — whether there may be a rift between the two Brown boys and the three Brown girls who brought the case against their father. Maybe, and maybe not. But it does make us wonder.
What happens next: Keith Scott Brown is scheduled to be sentenced March 31, 2011. He could get 15-to-life — but odds are all he’s going to actually serve is 10 to 15 years: Even if he gets the max, concensus is he will serve three 15-year sentences concurrently.
Of course, we would like to see him locked up for life. But we doubt that will happen.
Memorable quotes:
The Browns say music has been a vehicle to teach their children gospel principles such as compassion, generosity and hard work. The Church continues to be the family’s central source of strength. When the Sept. 11th attack occurred a short distance from Juilliard School, Brother Brown said he was comforted knowing his children were being shepherded by loving priesthood leaders in the Manhattan area. …The Browns say they’re comfortable being ambassadors for music, strong families and the Church.
— “LDS family quintet takes talent to Juilliard“
LDS Church News
August 24, 2002
The case, brought by the Utah County Attorney’s Office, was initiated by the three Brown sisters. The women were motivated to approach law enforcement out of concern for the welfare and protection of other young women and girls. All three sisters are at peace with the agreement that has been reached in this case. While clearly the current events surrounding the family are painful, the sisters were well prepared for this day, and are relieved and grateful to close this chapter in their lives.
At this time the Brown sisters wish to express their deep gratitude to Deputy Utah County Attorney David Sturgill, Lone Peak Police Detective Jamie Brooks and all others who assisted in this case, for their professionalism and commitment to the three women’s needs and welfare. Throughout the process, these dedicated public servants demonstrated tremendous care and respect, sought feedback and worked diligently to address all the women’s concerns.
The 5 Browns have been graced with enduring solidarity and unity amongst each other and their spouses. They also continue to draw upon deep reservoirs of comfort from the kind wishes and prayers of their many friends and supporters. Thank you.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case and the fact that it is ongoing (until sentencing has been concluded), no interviews will be given at this time. Each of The 5 Browns and their spouses will determine when (and whether) to share their stories. We ask that members of the media please respect the privacy of The 5 Browns and their spouses by giving them the time and space they need to heal. Please direct all questions about this case to Kimball Thomson, communications counsel for The 5 Browns.
— Press statement
The 5 Browns
February 17, 2011
Suggested Book of Mormon reading for Mr. Brown:
Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.— Alma 12:32
Related posts (automatically generated):
- Mel Brown (R-Coalville, UT)
- Stunner of the Year: Susan Brock and Daughter Rachel Accused of Sex with Same Boy, Plus: Friend Christian Hart Weems Arrested for Destroying Evidence (with News Video), Part 1
- Arthur Brown (R-Utah)
- Stunner of the Year, Part 2: Susan Brock, Rachel Katharine Brock, and Christian Hart Weems (with News Video)
- Mormon Mommy Susan Brock Pleads Not Guilty to 15 Child Molestation Charges
