Bucks County Men Accept Plea Deal In Attack On Gay Couple: DA

Two Bucks County men accused of attacking a gay couple last year in Philadelphia have accepted a plea agreement, authorities announced Thursday.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kevin Harrigan, of Warrington, and Phillip Williams, of Warminster, will be on probation, must pay restitution, are banned from Center City and must volunteer at an LGBTQ organization for 200 hours, the Philadelphia District Attorney said.

The third person charged in the attack, Kathryn Knott, has chosen to head to trial.

According to police, the two men bumped into a crowd of about a dozen young men and women on the 1600 block of Chancellor Street in Center City on Sept. 11, 2014. Authorities allege members of the group began to make disparaging remarks about their sexuality before attacking both men. The victims were sent to Hahnemann University Hospital with severe injuries.

The incident made national headlines.

According to Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, Harrigan pled guilty to one charge of Simple Assault and one charge of Conspiracy. He was sentenced to three years of reporting probation and must pay $314 in restitution.

Williams pled guilty to one charge of Aggravated Assault and one charge of Conspiracy. He was sentenced to five years of reporting probation and must pay $628 in restitution.

Harrigan and Williams also agreed to perform 200 hours of community service at an LGBTQ organization/cause and not go into Center City Philadelphia for the duration of their probation

“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,” Williams said. “Defendants Harrigan and Williams have accepted their agreement, one that honors the wishes of the victims of this case, and defendant Knott has chosen to proceed to trial. I hope that all of us can learn and grow from this horrible incident and be inspired by these two courageous victims, the solidarity of the LGBTQ community and their thousands of supporters and advocates.”

Knott’s trial date has not yet been selected. She is being charged with two charges of Aggravated Assault, two charges of Simple Assault, two charges of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and Conspiracy.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry is overseeing the prosecution of the case.