TOWSON, Md. — A jury acquitted the former longtime manager at Gunpowder Falls State Park of raping two women who once worked under him.
Michael Browning, 72, initially faced 27 combined counts of second degree rape, assault, and sex offenses in what his attorney described as a secretive love triangle.
After deliberation Browning was ultimately convicted on just one misdemeanor fourth degree sex offense charge.
Browning was indicted last September and has been jailed without bail ever since.
According to charging documents Browning met his first accuser, who is now a Baltimore County Police officer, when she was a teen taking part in his wife's 4-H club.
As she got older, Browning got her a seasonal job as a ranger at the park.
Sometime in 2016 the two began a consensual long-term romantic relationship, which led her to move into a state owned home on park property.
That's when she claims things took a turn for the worse.
RELATED: Charging Docs say Gunpowder Falls Park Manager committed numerous forcible rapes
She accused Browning of becoming controlling and demanding. He apparently had keys to the home and expected frequent sexual favors. When turned down, the woman said Browning would force himself against her will. During trial, she recounted this happening at least three times.
The second accuser, whose also a Baltimore County Police officer, joined the park staff later on.
She and the first accuser began having a sexual relationship with Browning's knowledge.
But what both women didn't know was Browning had a romantic relationship with each of them, behind the other one's back.
At some point the first accuser wanted to breakup with the second accuser, and sought Browning's advice on how to end the relationship.
Browning's attorney Gary S. Bernstein told jurors the women had revenge on their minds after learning his client was sleeping with both of them.
"This was an inept investigation and if the state had the information I gathered, I don't think the case would have been prosecuted," said Bernstein. "One juror has stated they didn't believe either victim about rape and thought the first was making it up as she went along."
Investigators only became aware of the allegations when the first accuser told her police field training officer about what happened.
Bernstein suggested that was just the accuser's way of gaining support during her breakup with Browning. As evidence he presented prior text messages from the accuser talking about how well her relationship with Browning was going.
In the end the jury sided mostly with Bernstein, convicting Browning of just one count of a misdemeanor sex offense. He's expected to be sentenced Monday.
The penalty calls for a one year maximum prison term. Bernstein is asking the judge to issue a sentence of time served.
Meanwhile Browning has been ordered to stay away from both accusers and Gunpowder Falls State Park.
