M.E. Investigator Ordered to Stand Trial on Rape Charge; 3 Other Charges Dismissed

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

TULSA, Oklahoma – A judge dismissed three charges Tuesday against the former chief investigator at the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office but ordered him to stand trial on one count of rape.

Kevin Rowland was indicted on four counts of sexual battery of co-workers in Tulsa County in July, but one of those charges was later changed to rape. Three charges of the sexual battery were dropped against Kevin Rowland, according to online court records. Rowland was bound over for trial on the rape charge.

During testimony, witnesses had a hard time placing the time of the suspected battery, said Charlie Price, spokesman for the Attorney General's office.

Prosecutors decided to ask the judge to dismiss the charges since the alleged crime may have occurred outside of the statute of limitations.

"It's ridiculous to me. We get all the way to the preliminary hearing, take testimony before all of a sudden they allegedly realize they busted the statute. That's law school 101," said Rowland's attorney, Scott Adams.

But prosecutors with the Attorney General's office said during the grand jury investigation, they believed the alleged crimes fit within the statute of limitations. They said only recently did they become concerned when the alleged victim changed the time line of events.

"We're dealing with several many instances of harassment and battery, and so today, she felt more definite in her testimony putting it in that time frame," said Tom Bates, Assistant Attorney General.

Bates admitted the case has some challenges, but he said he is confident when all the evidence is heard against Rowland, the evidence will be compelling.

"These allegations are reflective of a pattern of how Mr. Rowland ran that office and, make no mistake, he was the one running the office and these women had no avenue no means to report or stop it. They were at his mercy. We feel it's important they have their day in court," Bates said.

NEWS 9 Legal Analyst Irven Box said he's surprised the case got this far before the charges were dropped.

"I think it's unacceptable for anyone for three counts. This isn't just one, this is three counts against him caused him to have to post bond, have to go to a hearing, have to pay a lawyer. This appears to be something that should not have occurred," Box said.

Last year, Rowland was bound over for trial on one count of sexual battery in Oklahoma County. The trial is scheduled to start next month.

More: Former Oklahoma M.E. Chief Investigator Indicted on Sexual Battery Counts