GUILTY PA - Gay couple brutally beaten on Philadelphia street, 2014

Defense attorneys for three Bucks County young adults accused of assaulting two gay men in Center City in September argued in court yesterday that their clients either threw a punch, pointed fingers or exchanged heated words. All claimed that their clients had no part in leaving one of the victims with a broken jaw, two broken cheek bones and barely conscious following the Sept. 11 clash at 16th and Chancellor streets.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Barry vigorously argued that the defendants - Kathryn Knott, 24; Philip Williams, 24; and Kevin Harrigan, 26 - pelted the couple with anti-gay slurs before participating in the beating, which made international headlines.

Following a two-hour preliminary hearing, Philadelphia Municipal Judge Charles Hayden held the defendants for trial on two felony counts of aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and related charges.

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According to Hesse, the attack began after he and Haught were walking to get pizza when the pair passed the group at the intersection. At that time, Hesse claimed that Harrigan used anti-gay slurs when asking if he and his partner were gay. Hesse acknowledged that he and Haught were gay, adding, "You got a problem with that?"

Mike Barry, an assistant district attorney for Philadelphia, pointed out that at the time of the initial confrontation, the men weren't holding hands or "doing anything to display that they were partners."

Hesse testified that he repeated the slur as a reply to Harrigan, and after a few terse words and additional slurs, the verbal exchange turned physical. Following a short shoving match, Hesse then said that Harrigan punched him in the eye. "After that, it got kind of messy," Hesse testified. "I was completely surrounded. I was horrified."

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Two of three Bucks County residents charged with last year's attack on a gay couple at 16th and Chancellor streets must stay out of Center City under the terms of their punishment.

Under the plea deal reached by their lawyers and the District Attorney's Office, Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan were sentenced to probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service with an organization supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

Harrigan pleaded guilty to simple assault involving Hesse and conspiracy. In addition to community service, he was sentenced to three years' probation during which time he may not be in Center City. He was also ordered to pay $314 restitution.

Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault involving Haught and conspiracy. He was sentenced to five years' probation, barred from Center City, and ordered to pay $627 restitution.

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The daughter of a suburban Philadelphia police chief was convicted of assault Friday but acquitted of the most serious charges in a violent attack on a gay couple last year that prompted Philadelphia to expand its hate crime laws to include sexual orientation.

A jury acquitted Kathryn Knott of four counts, including aggravated assault on each of the victims, while convicting her of simple assault, reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit simple assault after three days of deliberations.

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On Monday afternoon, a Philadelphia judge informed Knott of her fate: five to 10 months in prison followed by two years probation. She’ll also have to pay a $2,000 fine. As part of her sentence, Knott is not allowed to leave the state, and she is banned from entering Philadelphia unless on official court or probation business. Her probation may be transferred to her county of residence. Knott is also required to complete anger management, and a “stay-away” order has been imposed covering the victims and their immediate and extended families.

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