Victims of Philly Hate Attackers File $500,000 Lawsuit

Kathryn Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams Won’t Be Able to Put Their Actions Behind Them for a Long Time

Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse have filed a $500,000 civil lawsuit against the three Philadelphia twenty-somethings (photo) who viciously attacked the couple on September 11, 2014. Haught had to have his jaw wired shut for months, and was knocked unconscious during the Center City attack, while Hesse suffered less serious physical injuries, including bruises, scrapes, and a black eye. Both are suing not only for their physical injuries but for “sustained psychological injury, emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation and embarrassment,” according to the Philly Voice. “Haught also lost wages and incurred the cost of medical expenses.”

The couple filed their lawsuit Tuesday, seeking over $50,000 for each of the ten counts. 

Harrigan and Williams accepted a generous plea deal that mandates community service, probation, and bars them from Center City while their probation is in effect. Kathryn Knott, the daughter of a local Pennsylvania police chief, declined the deal, insisting she was innocent. A judge decided otherwise and sentenced her for five to ten months in jail. All three were part of a larger group of 15 people who were present during the attack, but they were the only three charged.

In March, Knott had requested the judge consider allowing her to record a public service announcement in exchange for letting her out of jail early. The argument Knott’s attorney made was she should not have been given a stiffer sentence than the one her two accomplices were given in the plea bargain they agreed to. That request was denied.

In court this past December, the details of the assault were revealed.

“What is that, your fucking boyfriend?,” one of the three assailants, Kevin Harrigan, yelled – unprovoked – at the couple according to Zachary Hesse, the victim who ended up with a black eye, as Philadelphia magazine reported. 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.

The victims are requesting a jury trial.

 

EARLIER:

Breaking: Kathryn Knott Found Guilty In Philly Hate Attack

Here Are The Anti-Gay Tweets A Judge Just Ruled Can Be Used Against Alleged Philly Hate Attacker

‘All Three Defendants Maintain Their Innocence’: Philly Hate Attack Suspects Appear In Court

 

Image by Victor Fiorillo via Twitter