Defense lawyers plan to challenge accusations that three young adults attacked a gay couple over their sexual orientation at a preliminary hearing.
Police have charged 24-year-old Philip Williams of Warminster, 24-year-old Kathryn Knott of Southampton and 26-year-old Kevin Harrigan of Warrington with aggravated assault, conspiracy and other charges.
The three are accused of attacking the men when the two parties crossed paths on the street the night of Sept. 11. The encounter left one of the men with a broken jaw.
Defense lawyers insist that both parties played a role in the encounter, and say the men's sexual orientation wasn't an issue.
Authorities used social media sites to help police identify the suspects -- including Knott, who is the daughter of a suburban Philadelphia police chief.
Following her arrest, Knott lost her job at a local hospital and came under fire on social media after several people called Tweets she posted in 2012 homophobic.
The hearing is on Tuesday.
