News Round-Up: November 15, 2017

Pietro Boselli

Some news items you might have missed:

• I would love to have abs like "World's sexiest math teacher" Pietro Boselli (above), but I like my food too much. So, let's just look at him :)

• China is apparently using electro-shock therapy to try and convert gay men into heterosexuals.

• Anti-LGBT gay basher Kathryn Knott, who went to jail for the violent beating of Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse in the Center City area of Philadelphia in 2014, has settled a civil lawsuit with the men she helped land in the hospital. Knott and her co-defendants Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams have apparently agreed to a large six-figure settlement in order to avoid a court battle they've already lost once.

• Even more women have come forward accusing sexual assault/misconduct by GOP Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore.

• In related Roy Moore news, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is floating the idea of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who used to hold the senate seat in Alabama, being a write-in candidate in next month's election in an attempt to keep Moore out of the U.S. Senate. I wonder how Jeff Sessions feels about that?

• According to a new Morning Consult/Politico poll, former Vice President Joe Biden would easily beat Donald Trump 46%/35% should the Democrat decide to run for president in 2020.

• Out tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova react to Australia's marriage equality news:

Cheers to #Australia who voted with a resounding YES! for #MarriageEquality! Can't wait to celebrate with you in January. 🏳️‍🌈

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 15, 2017

So Margaret Court now says there will be no more Christmas or Easter, nor Mother’s and Father’s Day in Australia, all because of Same Sex Marriage. Au contraire Margaret- us gays love parties, especially the boys:), and we just might have 2 Mother’s days and 2 Father’s days:)

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) November 15, 2017

Federal Judge Declines To Dismiss Lawsuit Against Convicted Gay Basher Kathryn Knott & Her Father

Convicted gay basher Kathryn Knott

Convicted Philadelphia gay basher, Kathryn Knott, failed to convince U.S. District Judge Mitchell Goldberg to dismiss a federal lawsuit against her, her father and members of the Bucks County District Attorney's office that alleges the group sought to retaliate against a Montgomery County woman who took to the internet to mock Ms. Knott.

Kathleen O'Donnell filed the lawsuit after the was fired from her job. She alleges that the Knotts and company used their official positions in law enforcement to push O'Donnell's boss to fire her for her online heckling.

From PhillyVoice:

Goldberg declined to dismiss the lawsuit filed last year by Kathleen O'Donnell, a Norristown resident who used the screen name "Knotty is a Tramp" to post disparaging remarks about Knott in the comment sections of online news articles. O'Donnell's username included an unflattering picture of Knott drinking from a bottle of alcohol.

O'Donnell claims Kathryn Knott and her father, Karl, used his then-position as Chalfont police chief to retaliate against her, alleging they conspired with former Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler and two county detectives to threaten criminal charges. Heckler left office in September 2016, a year before his second term was to end.

O'Donnell was fired from her position job in Chester County after the detectives met with her employer, according to the lawsuit.

Knott, of Upper Southampton, was released from prison last year after serving five months for her role in the 2014 beating of a gay couple in Center City.

She was among three defendants charged with assaulting Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught, who was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw that needed to be wired shut for about two months.

You'll recall the gay bashing attack in the Center City area of Philadephia where Knott and a group of about 15 friends attacked Hesse and Haught.

Knott refused to accept the plea deal her co-defendants took which required only probation and 200 of community service.

Internet sleuths found social media posts by Knott bragging about her law enforcement father's ability to get her out of trouble. It was clear she thought he could get her out of this situation.

He could not.

Knott was the only person jailed for the attack.

News Round-Up: July 28, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Fitness trainer Ben Zerbst (above) is concerned about his "t-shirt tan," which gives you just one more reason to keep staring, as if you need one :)

• Kathryn Knott, convicted Philadelphia gay-basher, is now claiming self-defense in a civil lawsuit from the couple she helped attack. One of her victims had his jaw wired shut for 8 months due to injuries.

• Stephen Colbert slammed Donald Trump's tweets announcing a new ban on transgender military service members: “I began my day today as I often begin my days, by checking Donald Trump’s Twitter feed. Just to see how far the crazy has spread. And today, I really think he’s off his meds, as he’s gone from crazy to cruel."

• The GOP-controlled House has approved $1.6 billion for President Donald Trump’s long-promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump promised at nearly every rally and campaign event that Mexico would pay for the wall.

• 19 Attorneys General have sent a letter to Congress opposing Trump's transgender military ban.

• Woofy Instahunk Roberto Caccamo sends regards from Italy...

#goodmorning #taormina #ilovetaormina #ready for another #amazing #day in #sicily ❤️ #holidays #summer #Sicilia #italia #ceramiche #testedimore #doncorleone #arts #stairs #street #cool #instacool #muscle #beard #bear #daddy

A post shared by Roberto Caccamo (@mistercaccamo) on Jul 27, 2017 at 12:37am PDT

Convicted Gay-Basher Kathryn Knott To Be Released From Jail

Convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott

Philadelphia Magazine reports that convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott will be released from jail this afternoon after her lawyer successfully petitioned for parole.

Calling Knott "an exemplary inmate," Center City attorney William Brennan told Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Roxanne Covington, “She completed anger management in a timely, quick fashion. And she elected not to appeal. That speaks volumes to her sincerity.”

But Knott's legal woes will continue even after her release as she faces a civil lawsuit by her victims of the violent gay-bashing, plus a $5 million lawsuit by a Montgomery County woman who is suing Knott over what she claims was a conspiracy against her.

Convicted Gay-Basher Kathryn Knott Requests Early Parole

Kathryn Knott

Convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott has asked her attorney to request early release from her 5-10 month incarceration based on her "good behavior."

Via Philly.com:

In the motion, Brennan argues that while Knott’s minimum release date based on the sentence is July 8th, she would have become eligible for early release on June 6th, because inmates can get credit for good behavior while in jail. According to the motion, Knott hasn’t had any behavioral issues while at Riverside, and she completed a court-ordered anger management class in April.

Judge Roxanne Covington has yet to rule on the motion.

When Knott does finally get out of jail, she has much to look forward to: two years probation, a $2,000 fine, restrictions on her leaving the state of Pennsylvania or entering Philadelphia, plus a civil law suit filed by the men she hospitalized in the now-famous Center City gay bashing.

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.

Kathryn Knott, Convicted #PhillyHateCrime Assailant, Loses Resentencing Appeal

Convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knot

After being convicted for her part in the violent gay-bashing of two Philadelphia men in 2014, 25 year-old Kathryn Knott was sentenced to 5-10 months in prison, plus two years probation in addition to anger management classes and a $2,000 fine.

The attack left two men bloodied in the street with one man's shattered jaw having to be wired shut for months.

Ten days after her sentencing, Knott's lawyer, Bill Brennan, requested a resentencing hearing to consider other options for her punishment.

Judge Roxanne Covington agreed to hear the appeal. And then denied the motion.

From PhillyVoice:

"The sentence is well within the guidelines and is as appropriate as I can provide within the law and shall remain," Covington told Knott and her attorney, Bill Brennan, in court. "The motion is denied."

Brennan requested Covington consider alternatives to incarceration, contending that Knott's sentencing should be more rehabilitative and a better attempt to heal the wounds caused by the assault. He suggested Covington incorporate a public service announcement or community service into a new sentence.

In denying the motion, Covington said Knott displayed a "complete disconnection" from the assault and a "failure" to take ownership of her actions despite issuing an apology at her sentencing hearing.

"As injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, hatred toward any group is no different than hatred toward all of us," Covington said. "Every single one of us has a right to be who we are, to love who we want and to walk down the street and enjoy the city safely, without fear of ridicule, of torture, of attack."

Knott was offered the same plea deal her co-conspirators received. She declined the plea deal choosing to try her luck in court. That didn't play out with the jury.

She was unapologetic right up to the minute her guilty verdict was read. It was only after that she suddenly seemed interested in expressing remorse.

Judge Agrees To Hear Resentencing Motion For Convicted Gay-Basher Kathryn Knott

Convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott

Convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott will see her attorney's motion for resentencing considered by Judge Roxanne Covington in court on March 8th.

Knott's current incarceration is related to the vicious 2014 beating of a gay couple in Center City which left one man with a shattered jaw.

Last month, Covington sentenced Knott last month to 5-to-10 months in prison and two years of probation for her role in the beating, which left Andrew Haught unconscious and with a broken jaw that needed to be wired shut. Knott also received a $2,000 fine and was ordered to attend anger management classes, keep out of Philadelphia County during her probation and stay away from Haught and his partner, Zachary Hesse, who sustained minor facial bruises.

The motion was filed last month in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas by attorney Bill Brennan, who replaced Louis Busico as Knott's defense lawyer.

Knott, 25, of Upper Southampton, was one of three defendants charged in the beating. Her co-defendants, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams, received lighter penalties when they accepted plea agreements in October.

Knott opted to take her chances in court and ended up as the only member of the trio to receive any jail time. She was exonerated of aggravated assault charges against both victims, but found guilty of simple assault against Hesse, conspiracy and two counts of reckless endangerment.

Convicted Philly Gay-Basher Kathryn Knott Requests Resentencing Hearing After Only 10 Days In Jail

Convicted gay-basher Kathryn Knott

Convicted Philadelphia gay-basher Kathryn Knott has hired a new attorney who is requesting a hearing to reconsider her current prison sentence.

Kathryn Knott is asking Judge Roxanne Covington to grant her a resentencing hearing.

Attorney Bill Brennan, who replaced Knott's former defense attorney Louis Busico, filed a motion for reconsideration Wednesday with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Earlier this month, Judge Roxanne Covington sentenced Knott last week to 5-to-10 months in prison (plus two years of probation, a $2,000 fine and was ordered to attend anger management classes) for her participation in the 2014 beating of a homosexual couple in Center City.

From PhillyVoice.com:

Brennan said late Wednesday afternoon that he is requesting the court consider alternatives to incarceration, contending that Knott's sentencing should be more rehabilitative and better attempt to heal the wounds caused by the assault.

"Frankly, my client will be out in a few months either way," Brennan said. "It's to establish dialogue with the community and begin to heal the wounds with the victims, the community and the city."

Knott, 25, of Upper Southampton, Bucks County, was convicted in December of simple assault, conspiracy and two counts of reckless endangerment for her role in the assault, which left Haught unconscious with broken cheekbones and a fractured jaw that needed to be wired shut for eight weeks. Hesse sustained minor facial bruises.

Brennan said Knott "has learned a lot in the 18 months," adding that the community and city could benefit from a sentence that includes community service or a public service announcement.

"She's learned that words and actions have a much more far-reaching impact and effect than she ever thought possible," Brennan said. "She learned that your life can change on a dime. I think, rather than warehouse her in jail for a few months and that be the end of it, perhaps some community service or a public service announcement might be more proactive and productive in addressing the larger issues that this case dealt with."

I rather doubt Miss Knott has learned much of anything throughout this hideous event. I would bet that several months in incarceration will deter her from attacking any more LGBTs in the future a lot more than sweeping an LGBT community center.

Knott's cohorts in the vicious attack, Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan, accepted plea deals which allowed them to avoid prison time. The agreement included 200 hours of community service at an LGBT center, and three years probation. Knott was offered the same, but refused, choosing to go to trial.

During the sentencing phase of the case, Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry requested a sentence of 9-to-23 months in jail.

Philly Gay Basher Kathryn Knott Sentenced To 5-10 Months In Jail

Convicted Philly gay basher Kathryn Knott was officially sentenced today to 5-10 months in jail.

When the judge announced a sentence of five to 10 months in jail, Knott, 25, slumped forward in her seat at the defense table and wept.

Knott's attorney, Louis Busico, who had sought only probation for her, asked the judge if Knott could begin her jail term at a later date.

"She's going to surrender now," Covington said in her typical soft voice.

At that, Knott's mother, Carol Knott, rose from her seat in the second row. A deputy sheriff motioned for her to sit down in the front row.

After Knott got up, red-faced and weeping heavily, she went to the bar of the court and hugged her mother. She then hugged her father, Karl Knott, the police chief of Chalfont Borough, in Bucks County. Then she hugged her mother again.

Knott, of Southampton, had been convicted by a Philadelphia jury in December of four misdemeanor counts - simple assault, conspiracy to commit simple assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment, but acquitted of a more serious felony charge of aggravated assault. The judge also ordered Knott to serve two years probation after her jail term.

The attack that Knott took part in sent two men to the hospital. One of the men had such severe injuries that his shattered jaw had to wired shut for months.

During the trial last year, Philadelphia Magazine reported on the details of the vicious assault according to the testimony of one of the victims, Zachary Hesse:

“What is that, your fucking boyfriend?”

"Yeah, so what if it is my boyfriend," Hesse said he replied. 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.

It's worth noting that Knott was offered the same plea deal her two co-defendants accepted which would have kept her out of jail serving only probation and community service.

She refused the deal.

Jurors Have More Questions In Philly Gay Bashing Case

As the second day of deliberations began in the gay bashing case against accused homophobe Kathryn Knott, jurors had more requests and questions.

From Philly Voice:

The jury requested police statements given by Knott and Elizabeth Foley, a defense witnesses who was among Knott’s group of 15 people on the night of the incident.

However, Knott never gave a statement to police. Her attorney, Loius Busico, requested the jury not be told that information to “avoid the obvious inference of guilt.”

Common Pleas Judge Roxanne Covington agreed, saying the jury would be provided with an innocuous reason for not being provided with a statement from Knott, unless the jury pressed.

The Court of Common Pleas jury – comprised of eight women and four men – spent a full day deliberating Wednesday after receiving instructions from Covington. Despite reviewing videos shown throughout the trial and requesting police statements of the alleged victims and four witnesses, it did not reach a verdict.

It seems a bit odd to not tell the jury the truth about Knott giving police a statement. They're just going to make up "an innocuous reason?"

Knott is accused of taking part in a violent gay bashing last year that resulted in two men being hospitalized, one of whom had to have his broken jaw wired shut for months.

Knott's two pals who were also charged in the assault pled guilty.

Devastating Testimony This Week Against Accused Philly Gay Basher Kathryn Knott

Kathryn Knott

Bad news for accused Philadelphia gay basher Kathryn Knott in court this week as a second witness delivered devastating testimony at Knott's trial for a Center City attack that left two gay men severely injured. One had to have his shattered jaw wired shut for months due to the attack.

Via Philly.com:

Michelle Moore, 21, testified that she and two girlfriends were waiting at a bus stop on Walnut Street, near 16th, on the night of Sept. 11, 2014, when "we heard a loud noise," then ran toward the commotion.

They ran south on 16th Street. At the intersection of Chancellor Street, an alley just south of Walnut, they saw "a bunch of white kids all dressed nicely," she said, involved in arguments, with some fighting and some looking on as bystanders.

She said she saw two people hitting two others and heard someone say "faggot."

Asked by Assistant District Attorney Michael Barry if she saw a woman do anything, Moore testified that "a woman was punching a man on the ground. She had blonde hair."

She said the woman "had a whitish, whitish-black dress."

Knott, in videos shown from that night, had blonde hair and was in a white dress.

Knott's accomplices in the attack, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams, pleaded guilty in October and were sentenced under plea deals to probation and community service.

Homophobic Tweets By Kathryn Knott, Alleged Philly Gay Basher, Will Be Admissible

Kathryn Knott (R) with Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan who pled guilty to assaulting two gay men in Center City

Bad news for Kathryn Knott, who heads to trial next month on charges of aggravated assault during events back in September 2014 when two gay men were attacked and beaten to the point of one man's jaw was shattered and had to be wired shut for months.

Her homophobic tweets she was happy to send out into the Twitterverse will come back to haunt her as they will be introduced as evidence to show her bias against gays.

From Philly.com:

A Common Pleas jury is expected to hear that Knott, 25, of Southampton, had posted the following on her @kathryn_knott Twitter account:

* "@krisssstenxoxo the ppl we were just dancing with just turned and mafe out with eatch other #gay #ew"

* "jazz flute is for little fairy boys"

* "@g0_nads he's gonna rip me today for my hair..just wait. #dyke"

* "this camo song is gay like all the other brad paisley songs"

Knott faces trial on a count of conspiracy, two counts of aggravated assault and related offenses in the September 2014 attack on a gay couple in Center City. Jury selection is expected to take place Dec. 9. Opening statements would likely begin the next day.
Besides Knott, two others in her group, Philip Williams, of Warminster, and Kevin Harrigan, of Warrington, were also charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy and related offenses.

Last month, Williams, 25, and Harrigan, 27, accepted commonwealth offers to plead guilty before Common Pleas Judge Frank Palumbo. Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy and was sentenced to five years' probation.

Harrigan pleaded to simple assault and conspiracy and was sentenced to three years' probation. Both were ordered to perform community service at a center supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, to stay away from Center City while on probation and to pay restitution.

Knott turned down a plea offer and opted to take her case to trial.

Barry, in arguing Tuesday for Knott's tweets to be introduced at her trial, told the judge: "She does not like gay people. This is why the fight happened. . . . She's one of the people who jumped in and joined the assault."

The prosecutor said an independent witness saw Knott run into the fight and punch Hesse.

He said the victims also heard her call out the word "faggot."

Read more about the case here.

News Round-Up: November 2, 2015

Boxer Yusaf Mack comes out as bisexual

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Did you hear the one about the straight pro-boxer who swears he must have been drugged because he doesn't remember starring in a gay porn? Never mind that he doesn't address this other gay porn he starred in.

• Sen. Ted Cruz and Ben Carson climb in a new Iowa poll as Donald Trump loses ground.

• Have I mentioned my latest theatrical adventure?

• Did you know big pharmaceutical companies can PAY generic drug makers to delay making those meds available to us, costing Americans $3.5 billion a year?

• Alleged Philly gay-basher Kathryn Knott heads to trial December 9th to defend herself for her part in an attack that left a man with a shattered jaw needing to be wired shut for months.

• "Pawn Star" reality celeb Rick Harrison bemoans the fact that he loses business for supporting anti-LGBT politicians.

• Despite all the moans from Republicans/conservatives, the U.S. deficit just hit a seven year low. #ThanksObama

• Sen. Marco Rubio surges to 3rd in New Hampshire poll after debate performance.

Two Male Philly Gay Bashers Agree To Plea Deal With No Jail Time

Two of the three young haters who were charged with the September 11, 2014, attack on two gay men in Philadelphia (leaving one man's jaw shattered and wired shut for months) have copped to a plea deal with prosecutors.

From the Advocate:

Initial reports of the brutal attack suggested that as many as 15 people confronted the couple on the street in Philadelphia’s City Center neighborhood the night of September 11. In a December arraignment, Hesse testified that after a short exchange of words, Harrigan asked if he was “a dirty faggot,” which led to Hesse being shoved and shoving back, reported TV station WCAU.

“I approached him and said, ‘Maybe I am a dirty fucking faggot,'” Hesse said. “He pushed me, I pushed him.” The confrontation then escalated, and witnesses called 911.

The three were charged on September 24, 2014, with aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. The two male attackers were also charged with conspiracy.

Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams have now pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy and aggravated assault. They will serve no time in jail, instead agreeing to probation and community service.

According to WXPN’s Robert Drake, Harrigan will have to serve three years probation, and Williams five years. In addition, each will have to perform 200 hours each community service at an LGBT facility and are barred from the Central City area until their probation periods are over.

The third alleged attacker, and most famous due to her bratty rhetoric on Twitter, Kathryn Knott, rejected the plea deal and has chosen to fight in court.

She will head back to court on October 30th for a hearing where the judge will set a trial date.

You can read my past posts about the attack and the attackers here.

I'll update as more info comes available.

Philadelphia: Three Accused In Vicious Hate Crime Due In Court October 15

Kevin Harrigan (left), Philip Williams (center) and Kathryn Knott

It looks like October 15th will be the day Philadelphia will see if the three young haters who attacked and beat two gay men (leaving one with a shattered jaw for weeks)  in Center City will get justice or a slap on the wrist

From Philly.com:

Kevin Harrigan, 27, of Warrington; Philip Williams, 25, of Warminster; and Kathryn Knott, of Southampton, who turns 25 Friday, are charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy and related offenses in the Sept. 11, 2014, clash at 16th and Chancellor streets.

Michael Barry, chief of the district attorney's central division bureau, said Thursday that there have been ongoing negotiations with the defense attorneys. He said he expects the three defendants to enter guilty pleas on Oct. 15, when the case is next listed in the Criminal Justice Center.

Barry, though, would not comment on the details of the plea offers or what charges he expects the defendants may plead guilty to. He said there is not yet any plea agreement in place.

Barry said that on Oct. 15, "either the defendants will plead guilty" or their case will be "spun out for trial."

"I do expect them to plead guilty," he said.

He said one main reason the three defendants have not been in court each time for pretrial conferences was because "as part of their bail, they are banned from Center City."

Williams' attorney, Fortunato "Fred" Perri Jr., confirmed afterward that he and his client "are currently reviewing a plea offer that's been extended by the District Attorney's Office."

Asked if he expects Williams to plead guilty on Oct. 15, Perri said: "No decisions have been made yet." But he added, "We think it's a fair offer."

Harrigan's attorney, Joshua Scarpello, also confirmed that there have been plea negotiations.

"We're trying to work it out," he said. The terms of a possible plea are "not yet set in stone."

He also said of the three defendants: "They have not been offered the same deal." Each defense attorney, he said, is "trying to do the best for his client."

Lawyers For Philadelphia Gay Bashers Request Continuance To Haggle Over Plea Deal

Philip R. Williams (left), Kathryn G. Knott (middle) and Kevin J. Harrigan (right)

According to The Advocate, the lawyers of the three young anti-gay haters accused of attacking two gay men in Philadelphia - leaving one of the men with a shattered jaw that had to be wired shut for months - have asked for a continuance in court as they pursue a plea deal to avoid jail time.

Reports say the District Attorney's office has offered all three alleged assailants plea deals but has so far refused to make the details public. It is unknown whether the agreements would allow the three to avoid prison time and walk free.

Prosecutor Michael Barry told Philly Gay News this week that the continuance request was granted because "there are still some discussions regarding a non-trial disposition ongoing."

The three accused - Kevin Harrigan, Kathryn Knott and Philip Williams - will be back in court on September 17th to face charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and conspiracy. I guess we'll know by then if the young haters get to walk free.

Alleged Philadelphia Gay-Bashers Offered Plea Deal

Defendants Kevin Harrigan, Kathryn Knott and Philip Williams

Ten months after allegedly leading the attack on a gay couple that hospitalized both victims and left one with a shattered jaw and cheekbones, the suspects in the Philly hate crime (Kevin Harrigan, Kathryn Knott and Philip Williams) have plea deals in hand.

From PhillyMag:

Sources on both sides of the case confirm that all three suspects now have plea offers in hand and that they are are weighing their options.

"On behalf of my client, we are reviewing a plea offer from the District Attorney," says Williams' attorney Fortunato Perri. Williams stands accused of punching both victims, Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught, according to court documents. Haught suffered the greatest injuries, requiring hospitalization.

Louis Busico, attorney for Kathryn Knott, says that he's "always happy to have open lines of communication" with prosecutors but wouldn't say whether Knott is going to take the deal. While Williams and Harrigan were allegedly the more physical aggressors, it was Knott who received the brunt of public backlash after homophobic rants were found on her Twitter feed.

Harrigan's attorney, Josh Scarpello, did not return calls seeking comment. According to an affidavit of probable cause in the case, Harrigan initiated the confrontation when he called the victims "faggots," and he struck Hesse.

Cameron Kline, spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, says that the office does not comment on plea offers but tells us that if convicted on all charges, the maximum sentence could be as high as 34 to 68 years in prison, though no one expects that the judge would hand out anywhere near the maximum sentence, especially considering that these are first offenses.

None of the attorneys nor the D.A.'s office would comment on the specifics of the plea offer, so we asked prominent Philadelphia criminal defense attorney Chuck Peruto to walk us through the thought process.

"If they can tell who did what exactly, a good deal for the guy that did the most damage is two to four years state time," says Peruto. "And the ones that did minimal damage, maybe 11-1/2 to 23 months in county. If my clients got an offer like that, they'd probably take it. This is Philadelphia and you don't want a gay-bashing case as a criminal defense attorney. There are a lot of gay people here, and you can't tell who is gay on your jury."

Each suspect has been charged with conspiracy and two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. They remain free on bail.

Last Thursday, the case was continued so that the defendants could consider the plea offers. If no plea deal is made, Busico says he expects jury selection to begin in September or October.

Pennsylvania: Gay-Bashing Trio Lose In Attempt To Have Charges Dropped

A Philadelphia judge today ruled against reducing or dropping any of the charges brought against three Bucks County defendants accused of attacking a gay couple last September in Center City.

The attack left one man with a broken jaw and other facial injuries.

After reviewing more than 100 pages of testimony from the preliminary hearing stage, Judge Frank Palumbo ruled that Kevin Harrigan, Philip Williams, and Kathryn Knott will stand trial for all charges filed thus far.

Unfortunately, no hate crime charges at this time.

More details at CBSPhilly.com

Judge Rules Sufficient Evidence For Philly Hate Crime Defendants To Proceed To Trial

Suspects Philip R. Williams, Kathryn G. Knott, and Kevin J. Harrigan

The three defendants in the September Philadelphia/Center City hate crime that left one of their victims with a broken jaw were present today in court for a hearing to determine if there was enough evidence to go to trial.

Accused of the vicious attack are 24-year-old Philip Williams of Warminster, 24-year-old Kathryn Knott of Southampton and 26-year-old Kevin Harrigan of Warrington. Among other crimes, they are charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy.

One of the victims, Zachary Hesse, took the stand to testify as to how the attack unfolded:

Hesse, who is 28, was next to take the stand. He gave emotional testimony about the assault, saying that the incident began when he was with his boyfriend on the way from getting frozen yogurt and walking to Mama Palma's for pizza.

Hesse said that when the pair encountered the group at 16th and Chancellor, Harrigan asked, "Is that your fucking boyfriend?" "I said, 'Yeah, that is my fucking boyfriend," he testified. "'Do you have a problem with that?'" Then he testified that Harrigan said, "'So you're a dirty fucking faggot?' So I approached him and said, 'Maybe I am a dirty fucking faggot.' He pushed me, I pushed him."

Then Hesse says that he was surrounded by the group. "I was terrified," he testified. "It's scary to have people surround you, and your arms are being held."

While Nagle wasn't able to make any identifications, Hesse was much more clear. He identified Harrigan as the man who first hit him in the head, Knott as the woman who "smacked or hit" him in the head and called him a "fucking faggot," and Williams as the man who then hit Hesse again.

Hesse's boyfriend received the brunt of the attack, suffering two broken cheekbones, according to prosecutors, which resulted in his having his jaw wired shut for nearly two months.

Also in attendance in the courtroom was Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims, as the attack took place in his district.

The Judge in today's preliminary hearing ruled that the Commonwealth had met its initial burden against all three defendants. Formal arraignment in Common Pleas Court is scheduled for January 6th.

Stay tuned.