Accused Philadelphia Gay-Bashers Get December 6th Preliminary Hearing

The three suspects accused of the violent gay-bashing attack ib Center City on September 11th will have a preliminary hearing December 16th.

From Philly.com:

The three Bucks County residents arrested earlier this month for allegedly attacking two gay men in Center City will have a joint preliminary hearing on Dec. 16, a judge ruled Tuesday.

The defendants - Kathryn Knott, 24, Philip Williams, 24, and Kevin Harrigan, 26 - were excused from having to appear at the status hearing by agreement with the District Attorney's Office.

But attorneys for Knott, of Southampton, and Harrigan, of Warrington, said their clients are not gay-bashers.

Williams did not utter any homophobic slurs during the Sept. 11 incident near Rittenhouse Square, said his attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr.

"Fortunately, my client will have a chance to present this case in a court of law instead of the court of public opinion," Perri told reporters.

When asked if Williams had been struck or if he struck either of the two gay men, Perri said: "We'll resolve that matter in a court of law."

Attorney Joshua Scarpello, who represents Harrigan, said, "There certainly is another side to this case, there always is, and it's going to come to light."

The three defendants are each charged with two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; and one count each of criminal conspiracy.

"This vicious attack shocked the entire country. An assault on people because of their sexual orientation has no place in Philadelphia," District Attorney Seth Williams said at the time of the defendants' arrests.

The couple, who has been together for six years, told investigators that Harrigan shouted the first gay slur, Williams attacked both of them and that Knott participated in the name calling and physical assault, a police source told the Daily News.

Both gay men were briefly hospitalized, and one suffered severe facial injuries that required his jaw to be wired shut.