News (USA)

Judge rejects motions to downgrade charges in Philly gay bashing

A judge has refused to downgrade charges against three people accused of beating a gay couple on a Philadelphia street in September.
By · Updated on April 18, 2015
Judge rejects motions to downgrade charges in Philly gay bashing
From left: Philip Williams, Kathryn Knott and Kevin Harrigan.
From left: Philip Williams, Kathryn Knott and Kevin Harrigan. Booking photos

PHILADELPHIA — A judge has refused to downgrade charges against three people accused of beating a gay couple on a Philadelphia street in September.

KYW-AM reports that a judge made the ruling on the defense requests Thursday.

Twenty-four-year-old Philip Williams, 24-year-old Kathryn Knott and 26-year-old Kevin Harrigan were held for trial in December on all counts, including aggravated assault.

One of the accusers testified that Harrigan used slurs to ask if he and his partner were gay and the dispute got physical.

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Harrigan’s attorney, Joshua Scarpello, acknowledges that his client exchanged anti-gay slurs, but he argues that it was the accusers who escalated it.

Knott’s attorney says one of the victims wasn’t sure there was contact with her. Williams’ lawyer says his client was just helping a friend.

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