Philly Gay-Bashing Victims File Civil Lawsuit Against Attackers

The two men who were the victims of a violent gay-bashing in September of 2014 in Philadelphia have filed a civil lawsuit against their attackers.

Both victims say that in addition to their physical injuries, they suffered psychological injury, emotional distress and embarrassment.

From PhillyMag.com:

Earlier this week, Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught filed a civil suit against Kathryn Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams for their roles in the attack.

Harrigan and Williams both escaped jail time when they pleaded guilty last year to simple assault and conspiracy and aggravated assault and conspiracy, respectively, while Knott was convicted by a jury of simple assault, conspiracy, and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. She is currently serving a sentence of five to ten months at Riverside Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia, imposed in February.

The suit, filed by the prominent Center City law firm Kline & Specter, seeks unspecified damages. Neither the plaintiffs’ attorneys nor the defendants were immediately available for comment.

One of the men attacked, Andrew Haught, had injuries so severe he needed emergency surgery and spent five days in the hospital. He suffered a fractured jaw bone and orbital bone, and permanent facial scarring, in addition to other injuries. His jaw was wired shut for eight weeks.