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Court hearing scheduled for three charged in Philadelphia gay bashing

Court hearing scheduled for three charged in Philadelphia gay bashing
From left: Philip Williams, Kathryn Knott and Kevin Harrigan.
From left: Philip Williams, Kathryn Knott and Kevin Harrigan. Booking photos

PHILADELPHIA — Three young adults charged with beating a gay couple in Philadelphia are due in court Dec. 16 for a preliminary hearing.

Police accuse the two men and a suburban police chief’s daughter with taking part in an assault that left one man with a wired jaw.

Defense lawyers insist that both parties played a role in the Sept. 11 encounter, and say gay bashing was not the motive.

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The arrests came after the public used social media sites to help police identify the large group that crossed paths with the victims that night.

Police then charged 24-year-old Philip Williams of Warminster, 24-year-old Kathryn Knott of Southampton and 26-year-old Kevin Harrigan of Warrington with aggravated assault, conspiracy and other charges.

Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law does not include protections for sexual orientation.

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