3 Charged in Attack on Gay Couple in Philadelphia

[redheadbaker]

The girl sounds like a real winner :^)


3 SUSPECTS ARRAIGNED FOR ATTACK ON GAY COUPLE IN CENTER CITY PHILADELPHIA

6abc.com/news/3-suspects-arraigned-for-attack-on-gay-couple/320968/

PHILADELPHIA -- All three suspects accused of attacking of a gay couple in Center City Philadelphia earlier this month were arraigned overnight.

Action News was there as all three left Philadelphia Police Central Detectives in Spring Garden.

The suspects are:

-Kevin J. Harrigan, 26, from the 1000 block of Gotland Circle in Warrington, Pa.

-Kathryn G. Knott, 24, of the 1200 block of Melody Lane in Southampton, Pa.

-Phillip Williams, 24, of the 100 block of Acorn Drive in Warminster, Pa.

All three are charged with aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.

They were charged in connection with the September 11th attack on two gay men in the 1600 block of Chancellor Street.

Williams' attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. said Wednesday after Williams surrendered to police that the case was not related to anyone's sexual orientation, but was instead a "mutual confrontation" in which his client "was not the aggressor."

Meanwhile, because of the charges, Knott has been suspended from her job as an emergency room tech for Abington Health's Lansdale Hospital, where she has worked since 2011.

In addition, Abington Health said it was investigating potential privacy violations involving Knott. This comes after reports that Knott posted pictures of patient x-rays to her Twitter account.

"Abington Health takes patient privacy and confidentiality very seriously and is fully investigating this matter," the hospital said in a statement.

Action News has confirmed Knott is the daughter of Chalfont, Bucks County Police Chief Karl Knott.

He was a lieutenant in Abington Township when his daughter tweeted about special treatment from her dad.

One tweet claimed she went on a police raid and kicked down a door in December of 2012.

Abington Police Chief Bill Kelly says the young woman was on a "legitimate ride along" but the rest was false. As for the other tweets, they also appear not be true.

"There's no allegation against any member of this police department that goes un-researched, regardless whether it's anonymous or how it comes in, we research it because we value the reputation of our police department," said Chief Kelly.

Chief Kelly said he spoke with other officers and even Knott's father who he describes as an exemplary officer whom he's known for nearly 30 years.

As for the investigation into the Center City attack, Knott's attorney, Louis Busico, has denied that the dispute was motivated by anti-gay bias.

"She played no role in this other than going out to dinner with friends the night this happened," Busico said outside Central Detectives on Wednesday. "We don't deny that there was a gentleman who was assaulted. We don't deny that this gentleman was injured. But I unequivocally deny that my client did anything to hurt this man; she wouldn't hurt anybody."

The incident in question unfolded at 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th.

Investigators say the victims, a 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, were in the 1600 block of Chancellor Street when police say they were approached by a group of 'unknown males and females.'

The group of 10 to 12 people approached and, according to police, 'made disparaging remarks about their sexual orientation.'

That led to an attack, police say, with some of the suspects holding the victims while others punched them.

"This vicious attack shocked the entire country. An assault on people because of their sexual orientation has no place in Philadelphia," DA Seth Williams said in a statement.

The two victims suffered serious facial injuries. They claim they were targeted for being homosexual and savagely beaten.

Police say there were originally 10 to 12 suspects in the attack but, in the end, only three have been charged.

Investigators say the reason the other suspects have not been charged will come out in court.

As previously reported, none of the suspects can be charged with a hate crime under Pennsylvania law.

On Tuesday, gay rights supporters turned out in force in Harrisburg to push for a change in Pennsylvania's hate crime law.

"Three people's lives are about to change drastically and the victims are asking that everybody just keep their language respectful and not hateful," the victims' friend Caryn Kunkle.

Kunkle says before the charges the victims spent more time Tuesday with Central Detectives and prosecutors.

"It's very emotionally taxing on them. They're still reliving it all. It's tough," Kunkle said.

Because of the large group of potential suspects who were out on the town, police say the investigation took time.

On Tuesday night, Action News asked Lt. John Stanford why police didn't arrest the suspects immediately.

"Well, it's a situation of which the attorneys made communication with us to bring the clients from the first place, as a courtesy, Central Detectives have reached out to the attorneys making it an easy process for them to come in as opposed to using additional resources," Stanford said.

Last week, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia released a statement acknowledging that several former students of Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, many 2007 graduates, were suspected in the attack.

One of the persons of interest questioned last week was an assistant basketball coach at Archbishop Wood High School. He resigned because of his alleged involvement, but he is not one of the three involved in the crime.

[memenee]

I went to college with a self absorbed, entitled "knott" who was heir to the Knotts Berry Farm fortune. Wonder if this Knott is, as well.

[doobeedoo]

I have been following this story with such fascination. And horror. Kathryn, in particular, is a living, breathing lesson for all on what NOT to do on social media. A look at her twitter history coupled with the charges...I just don't see how she will ever recover from this, reputation-wise, even if she is found not guilty.

But here is what I don't get--why only three people arrested/charged? There were 12+ people involved. What must be different about these 3 individuals' involvement?

storify.com/Clarknt67/meet-defendant-kathryn-knott

[auntie]

Really close to home here. My niece used to work with one of the victims when she was in grad school.

[jln]

Even if she is found not-guilty for this crime, can she be charged with sharing medical information?

[cinnamoncox]

Sept 25, 2014 9:31:58 GMT -5 doobeedoo said:

I have been following this story with such fascination. And horror. Kathryn, in particular, is a living, breathing lesson for all on what NOT to do on social media. A look at her twitter history coupled with the charges...I just don't see how she will ever recover from this, reputation-wise, even if she is found not guilty.

But here is what I don't get--why only three people arrested/charged? There were 12+ people involved. What must be different about these 3 individuals' involvement?

storify.com/Clarknt67/meet-defendant-kathryn-knott

I know! Her twitter feed is
She has a huge problem with alcohol. I get that she's young, but that is alarming, the amount and frequency of alcohol and hangovers. I didn't know she was an ER tech. Yikes.
I agree, I don't see how she will recover from this either, her reputation. The little I read from her twitter is extremely alarming.

[erbear]

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

[Deleted]

Her father is delusional. His daughter is a clear cut case of hot ass mess.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 25, 2014 12:10:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

State Rep Brian Sims is holding a rally in 45 minutes at LOVE Park to get support for adding sexual orientation and gender expression to the hate crime law.

[IIOY]

Sept 25, 2014 12:16:45 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Sept 25, 2014 12:10:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

State Rep Brian Sims is holding a rally in 45 minutes at LOVE Park to get support for adding sexual orientation and gender expression to the hate crime law.

He was on NPR earlier today talking about this, and debating whether having an add-on to a crime for it being a hate crime was a good thing. The opposing point of view came from a lesbian law professor who had some compelling arguments. Members of the LGBT community were calling in, several of them saying that making a crime a hate crime was actually counterproductive and they were opposed. Very interesting discussion all around.

[erbear]

Sept 25, 2014 12:16:45 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Sept 25, 2014 12:10:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

State Rep Brian Sims is holding a rally in 45 minutes at LOVE Park to get support for adding sexual orientation and gender expression to the hate crime law.

Good. I vote for him.

I have my 8th graders write a letter to a representative proposing a law every year. I think that will be mine.

[erbear]

Sept 25, 2014 12:26:13 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Sept 25, 2014 12:16:45 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

State Rep Brian Sims is holding a rally in 45 minutes at LOVE Park to get support for adding sexual orientation and gender expression to the hate crime law.

He was on NPR earlier today talking about this, and debating whether having an add-on to a crime for it being a hate crime was a good thing. The opposing point of view came from a lesbian law professor who had some compelling arguments. Members of the LGBT community were calling in, several of them saying that making a crime a hate crime was actually counterproductive and they were opposed. Very interesting discussion all around.

My husband is a lawyer and he was talking last night about the unconstitutionality of hate crime laws. Yet they are on the books, and therefore should include sexual orientation, IMO. 

I'm sorry I missed that. What was the gist of the argument?

[debatethis]

A job well done for Twitter, too: gawker.com/philly-hate-crime-suspects-tracked-down-by-anonymous-tw-1635661609

[redheadbaker]

Sept 25, 2014 12:03:46 GMT -5 jln said:

Even if she is found not-guilty for this crime, can she be charged with sharing medical information?

She's been fired from her job. From what I understand, they need to identify the patients whose x-rays she posted before they can file charges for HIPAA violations.

[wawa]

Sept 25, 2014 12:16:45 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Sept 25, 2014 12:10:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

State Rep Brian Sims is holding a rally in 45 minutes at LOVE Park to get support for adding sexual orientation and gender expression to the hate crime law.

My mom just posted pictures from the rally on fb. Brian Sims is cute. Also the turnout looked pretty good...and it looked diverse which is heartening.

[auntie]

This is spilling out to 2 local police departments as well-

www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/local/cops-kathryn-knott-tweets-untrue-chalfont-chief-father-praised/article_42ab6ada-9413-5476-98ce-f51b2041b3f5.html

This bitch is trouble. But I bet the others are thrilled to have her capturing the bigger share of publicity in this.

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 25, 2014 13:16:11 GMT -5 debatethis said:

A job well done for Twitter, too: gawker.com/philly-hate-crime-suspects-tracked-down-by-anonymous-tw-1635661609

This is amazing.

[sushi]

Sept 25, 2014 12:10:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

I wanna see

[erbear]

Sept 26, 2014 15:33:13 GMT -5 sushi said:

Sept 25, 2014 12:10:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

That bitch better not be putting my x-rays from that hospital on her Twitter. No one needs to see my gnarly broken foot.

I hate this case and all of those people involved. I can't believe sexual orientation isn't covered under our hate crime law.

I wanna see

Trust me when I say you don't. I don't even want to look at it.

[auntie]

Court document recounts alleged Philly gay couple assault



Posted: Friday, September 26, 2014 7:00 pm | Updated: 8:29 am, Sat Sep 27, 2014.
By Kyle Bagenstose Staff Writer
A court document accuses a Warrington man with "initiating" a confrontation in which a gay couple were allegedly beaten on a Philadelphia street.
Kevin J. Harrigan, 26, one of three suspects from Bucks County accused of assaulting the two men, allegedly used a gay slur "several times" and struck one of the men in the face, according to an affidavit of probable cause posted online by Philadelphia Magazine and verified by a law enforcement source.
Philadelphia police said the couple looked over photographs to identify Harrigan and co-defendants Philip R. Williams, 24, of Warminster, and Kathryn G. Knott, 24, of Upper Southampton. Each is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and criminal conspiracy. The three turned themselves in to Philadelphia Central Detectives on Wednesday, and were arraigned and released on bail early Thursday morning. Williams and Harrigan, each on $75,000 bail; Knott, $50,000, police said.
According to the affidavit, the men identified Williams as "one of the main aggressors" in the assault Sept. 11 on the 1600 block of Chancellor Street. They also identified Knott as "screaming" the same slur at the couple. One of the men told police Knott had struck him in the face, the affidavit said.
According to the document, the confrontation began when the couple encountered a "large group of males and females" on the street.
"Words were exchanged between the two groups and one male in the second group, later identified as Kevin Harrigan, called the complainants (the slur) several times," the affidavit said.
The affidavit goes on to say a "heated argument" escalated to the extent that Williams struck one of the men in the face "an undetermined number of times," causing the man to fall. The second man approached Williams, and he, too, was struck in the face, the affidavit said.
One of the men was hospitalized. He was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital with "extensive injuries to his face ... including a broken orbital bone, a broken jaw, and a deep laceration that required twenty-four stitches to close," the affidavit said.
The second man also received facial injuries, but did not require hospital treatment, the affidavit said. He said Harrigan also struck him during the altercation, according to the document.
A witness at the scene "positively identified" Knott as striking one of the men, the affidavit said.
Harrigan, Williams and Knott are free on bail following an arraignment early Thursday morning in Philadelphia, and await a Tuesday court hearing.
Harrigan's lawyer on Wednesday described what happened on the street as a "fist fight" that "got out of hand," and not a homophobic attack, as believed by Philadelphia police and city District Attorney Seth Williams.
Philip Williams' attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said the suspects and other friends had been celebrating a friend's birthday at a city restaurant before the encounter.
"In no way, shape or form was this incident related to anyone's sexual orientation," Perri said Wednesday outside the police station where his client surrendered. "This was a mutual confrontation that started because two individuals got into an argument out in the street."
Knott's attorney, Louis Busico, also denied that the dispute was motivated by anti-gay bias or that his client hurled insults or threw any punches.
"Ms. Knott is absolutely not homophobic and she didn't utter any slur to anyone, whatsoever," Busico said. "We don't deny that there was a gentleman who was assaulted. We don't deny that this gentleman was injured. But I unequivocally deny that my client did anything to hurt this man; she wouldn't hurt anybody."
The charges led Lansdale Hospital to suspend and subsequently fire Knott from her three-year job as an emergency room technician. The hospital also said in a statement that it was looking into her Twitter account "for potential violations of patient privacy."
Harrigan's lawyer, Josh Scarpello, said his client played a minor role and planned to plead not guilty. Scarpello said the group did not set out to attack the couple.
On Thursday, several hundred people held a rally in Love Park in Philadelphia to call on the state legislature to include bias crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in the state's hate-crime law.
The case gained national attention when police posted a video of the suspects, and online followers used social media sites to help identify them. One man reportedly in the large group has since stepped down as a part-time basketball coach at Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster. He was not among those charged.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.


www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/local/court-document-recounts-alleged-philly-gay-couple-assault/article_ed0638e0-e431-5221-96ac-edb445b56274.html

[sushi]

Sept 26, 2014 17:24:28 GMT -5 erbear said:

Sept 26, 2014 15:33:13 GMT -5 sushi said:

I wanna see

Trust me when I say you don't. I don't even want to look at it.

You clearly don't know my reputation for liking gross medical stuff. Unless it's teeth. If there were a tv channel that just showed different surgeries all day everyday i would never leave the couch.

[tacosforlife]

Sept 25, 2014 15:30:47 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Sept 25, 2014 12:03:46 GMT -5 jln said:

Even if she is found not-guilty for this crime, can she be charged with sharing medical information?

She's been fired from her job. From what I understand, they need to identify the patients whose x-rays she posted before they can file charges for HIPAA violations.

There is no such thing as "filing charges" for a HIPAA violation, assuming you mean criminal charges.

The circumstances under which you can bring a civil lawsuit under HIPAA is actually quite narrow, if I remember from my dealing with this.

Sharing the x-rays may be a crime under Pennsylvania law, but that would be a state-specific issue. And there very well may be a civil cause of action under Pennsylvania law.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 27, 2014 7:44:11 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

Sept 25, 2014 15:30:47 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

She's been fired from her job. From what I understand, they need to identify the patients whose x-rays she posted before they can file charges for HIPAA violations.

There is no such thing as "filing charges" for a HIPAA violation, assuming you mean criminal charges.

The circumstances under which you can bring a civil lawsuit under HIPAA is actually quite narrow, if I remember from my dealing with this.

Sharing the x-rays may be a crime under Pennsylvania law, but that would be a state-specific issue. And there very well may be a civil cause of action under Pennsylvania law.

Thanks for the clarification.