Guilty Pleas Made in Philadelphia Gay Bashing Case; No Jail Time

In the hours following the announcement of the plea deal, Bucks County Human Relations Council member Marlene Pray has heard reaction from many LGBT supporters who believe Harrigan and Williams received slaps on the wrists.

The three people arrested in the attack of a gay couple in Center City past year have seen their day in court, and two of them will not be serving jail time due to a plea bargain, reports WPVI-TV.

“Today’s agreement is certainly about justice, but it is also about honoring the wishes of the victims to make sure they can continue to heal and gain closure”, District Attorney Seth Williams said in a statement.

Shortly after the attack, police said the suspects had held couple down, beat them in the head and chest and made derogatory comments about their sexual orientation. Andy Haught had a broken jaw and cheekbones.

Twitter sleuths tried to identify the suspects after police posted surveillance footage; the suspects turned themselves in a week later.

They could be granted temporary exemptions to attend necessary appointments, Barry said.

Despite a few officials calling the attack a hate crime, the beating did not result in any official hate crime charges because Pennsylvania’s hate crime law does not cover LGBT identities or sexual orientation.

The men said yes they were, and the group began to attack them by kicking and punching them all over their bodies.

Banning defendants from a certain part of the city isn’t common, Barry said. Both must also perform 200 hours of community service at an LGBTI facility, according to EPGN.

24-year-old Philip Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy, while 26-year-old Kevin Harrigan pleaded guilty to simple assault and conspiracy. Harrigan can not return until his three years of probation are completed.

Each assailant was charged back in September 2014, with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Knott’s trial date has not yet been determined, though she will have a scheduling hearing on October. 30.