Kathryn Knott’s Attorney Tells Jury She’s A ‘Wonderful Human Being’ And Didn’t Hit Philly Gay Couple

The first day of trial in the Philly gay bashing case that drew national attention reveals defense attorney’s strategy.

On September 11, 2014, a same-sex couple walking to get pizza in Philadelphia’s Center City was verbally, then physically attacked by several members of a group of about 15 people. When it was over, one of the men had a broken jaw that had to be wired shut for months, the other suffered a black eye and additional injuries. 

In court Thursday, the details of that fateful night were revealed.

“What is that, your fucking boyfriend?,” Kevin Harrigan, unprovoked, yelled at the couple according to Zachary Hesse, the victim who ended up with a black eye, Philadelphia magazine reports. Hesse told the court he responded, “Yeah, so what if it is my boyfriend.”

He said Harrigan shot back in a “tough-guy” tone: “I guess you’re a dirty fucking faggot then.” Hesse approached Harrigan and shouted the same words back at him. Harrigan then pushed him, Hesse testified, and he pushed back. That’s when Harrigan punched him.

Hesse testified the ensuing incident was “terrifying.” He said the group shouted “fucking faggot” and “dirty faggot” constantly; he said it was said “more than 10, more than 20 times.” He threw a punch but it didn’t connect. About six people grabbed his arms, he said in court, and eventually Kathryn Knott threw a punch or slap — he closed his eyes when he saw her open hand coming toward his face — at him while shouting the slur. He identified Knott has his assailant in court.

One bystander, Rachel Mondesire, seemed to back up Hesse’s account.

She testified she saw a woman in a white dress punch a man, with the crowd shouting “ooooh!” after it happened.

But Knott’s defense attorney, Louis Busico, told the jury a far different story. Kathryn Knott, he said, was just an innocent bystander who didn’t hit anyone.

Busico “called her a ‘wonderful human being’ who had matured beyond her early attitudes toward sexual minorities,” Philly.com reports.

Three people, Philip Williams, Kevin Harrigan, and Kathryn Knott were charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person (REAP), for the attack. Williams and Harrigan were also charged with conspiracy. 

Williams and Harrigan took a plea deal and will serve no jail time. Knott, 25, and the daughter of a Pennsylvania police chief, refused the plea deal. Thursday was her first day on trial.

 

Image of Knott by Victor Fiorillo via Twitter