News (USA)

BREAKING: Two of the suspected Philly hate attackers will NOT be serving jail time

BREAKING: Two of the suspected Philly hate attackers will NOT be serving jail time
From left: suspects Philip R. Williams, Kathryn G. Knott, and Kevin J. Harrigan.
From left: suspects Philip R. Williams, Kathryn G. Knott, and Kevin J. Harrigan. Philadelphia Police Department

The New Civil Rights Movement reports that Kathryn Knott, Philip Williams, and Kevin Harrigan were offered a plea deal that includes community service and probation, but no jail time.

The three twenty-somethings were charged in a brutal September 11, 2014 attack of a gay couple in Philadelphia that left one of the men hospitalized with a broken jaw, which needed to be wired shut for almost two months.

Arrested on September 24, 2014, the accused were charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. Williams and Harrigan were charged with conspiracy, but not Knott.

Philly Gay News reports that Williams and Harrigan accepted a plea deal today in court, which included community service and probation but no jail time.

Kathryn Knott reportedly rejected the deal and will be standing trial.

Victor Fiorillo at Philadelphia Magazine reports: “Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and aggravated assault. Neither man will spend a day in jail. The guilty plea was given in exchange for a sentence of probation.”

Knott didn’t plead guilty. She’ll go to trial October 30.

On Facebook, WXPN’s Robert Drake noted that Harrigan will receive three years probation and Williams five years. Both will have to perform 200 hours each community service at an LGBT facility and cannot enter Center City until their probation has expired.

Local ABC News Affiliate WPVI added, “The plea deal was at the wish of the victims, according to the district attorney’s office. The victims said they felt safe in Center City before the attack.”

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