Phillip Williams and Kevin Harrigan, two of the suspects accused of beating up a gay couple in Center City, will not have to serve any time in jail and were instead sentenced to five years probation in exchange for their guilty plea. The third suspect, Kathryn Knott, refused the plea deal will go to trial instead.
Two men apologized while admitting their roles in the beating of a homosexual couple in Center City Philadelphia and must serve hundreds of hours at an LGBT facility as part of their punishment.
Philip Williams, 24, and Kevin Harrigan, 26, pleaded guilty to assault and conspiracy charges for the September 2014 attack.
Williams pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges and is banned from Center City while on probation for 5 years. He also must pay a $628 fine, said the District Attorney's Office. Harrigan's Center City ban is 3 years after he pleaded guilty to simple assault. He must pay a $314 fine.
They both agreed to perform 200 hours of community service at an LGBTQ facility.
They will receive no jail time for the beating at 16th and Cancellor streets. Both men claimed the attack wasn't motivated by the couple's sexual orientation.
A third defendant, Kathryn Knott, 24, rejected a plea deal and will stand trial on aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and conspiracy charges.
"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," said Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams. “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."
