Accused Homophobic Hate Attackers Of Philly Couple Get Continuance As Lawyers Debate Plea Bargain

Lawyers for the three accused attackers of a Philadelphia gay couple are debating a plea deal for their clients.

On September 11, 2014, three 20-somethings allegedly attacked a gay couple in Philadelphia. They reportedly yelled anti-gay slurs, and physically assaulted the couple. One had to have his jaw wired shut for months, and the couple has avoided the media, speaking almost never with reporters.

The trio of accused hate attackers, Philip Williams, 24, Kathryn Knott, 24, and Kevin Harrigan, 26, were arrested September 24, 2014 and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person (REAP), for the attack. Williams and Harrigan were also charged with conspiracy. All three pleaded not guilty and remain free on bond. 

In a hearing last December, Haught, who was hospitalized with facial injuries that included a broken jaw from the attack, testified in court for an hour, accusing Harrigan of asking him the night of the attack, “Is that your fucking boyfriend?,” and, “So you’re a dirty, fucking faggot?” He also told the court Knott “hit me in the face and just kept calling me a ‘dirty, fucking faggot,’ ‘faggot, faggot.'”

In July, the three were offered a plea bargain. The details have been guarded and not released to the press.

Despite attorneys’ claims their clients “steadfastly maintain their innocence,” the three accused attackers are considering the plea agreement.

On Friday, they asked for and received a continuance. 

Williams, Knott, and Harrigan are debating the plea bargain with their attorneys and with the prosecutor, Michael Barry, presumably to shape the deal to one more to their liking.

Barry told Philadelphia Gay News last week that “there are still some discussions regarding a non-trial disposition on going.”

Should they decline to accept the plea bargain, their trial is scheduled to begin September 17.

 

RELATED:

Philly Court Document: Attackers Repeatedly Punched Gay Men, Called Them ‘Faggots’

Philadelphia Hate Attack Suspect Kathryn Knott ‘Has Been Terminated From Her Employment’

Philly Hate Attack Mob Claiming Self Defense After Brutal Beating Sends Gay Men To Hospital

 

Image by Victor Fiorillo via Twitter