HATE

Suspects in Philly Gay Beating Surrender

One victim's jaw wired shut.

Three people charged with violently beating two gay men in Philadelphia on September 11 surrendered to police on Wednesday morning. Philip Williams, 24, Katherine Knott, 24, and Kevin Harrigan, 26, each face two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, and one count of conspiracy. The group “made disparaging remarks about their sexual orientation,” according to police, and proceeded to hold the men down while punching them. One of the victims needed to have his jaw wired shut. Under current Pennsylvania law, the suspects cannot be charged with a hate crime for attacking people due to their sexual orientation. Investigators say the reason for charging only three people—instead of the ten to 12 allegedly involved—will come out in court.