Philadelphia Magazine reported Thursday that two suspects accused of attacking a gay couple in Philadelphia last September had accepted plea deals that let them avoid prison time in exchange for probation and 200 hours of community service at an LGBT center. A third suspect, the daughter of a Pennsylvania police chief, turned down the plea deal and will take her case to trial.
Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams are both entering guilty pleas in Center City assault on gay couple last year. #LGBT
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) October 15, 2015
Harrigan pleads to simple assault and conspiracy. No jail time. Must volunteer at #LGBT center. Banned from Center City. Probation.
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) October 15, 2015
Williams cuts same deal, more probation. Also banned from Center City.
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) October 15, 2015
Both Williams and Harrigan spoke, apologized to judge and victims, said incident was not about sexual orientation.
— Jason Nark (@JasonNark) October 15, 2015
2 male defendants in Center City assault on gay couple pleaded guilty, got probation. Kathryn Knott going to trial. https://t.co/bJZV4CCtR7
— Julie Shaw (@julieshawphilly) October 15, 2015
Comedian Margaret Cho, enraged to read that two of the three suspects had managed to avoid jail time, turned to Twitter to vent her fury … at the Philadelphia Police Department.
Gay bashing is a hate crime. Put Kathryn Knott away for a long time. The other 2 attackers got off with community service. #philly #justice
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
.@PhillyPolice probation and community service are not punishment for deadly gay bashing. I don't care if Kathryn Knott is your daughter.
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
Gay bashing is a crime that should be punished to the full extent of the law. Apologies are not enough. Prison+apology+civil suit = justice
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
@margaretcho Ma'am, understand your frustration, but to clarify 1. That defendant is not "[our] daughter", 2. We do not prosecute cases.
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 17, 2015
I just don't know who to turn to see why gay bashers go free in Philly. And Don't Ma'am me. Where should I write? https://t.co/jIEfPgoAF7
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
Philadelphia – here's your police dept. They categorize my rage at gay bashing as 'frustration'. https://t.co/jIEfPgoAF7
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
@PhillyPolice I don't know much about the law but I do know that gay bashing is a hate crime. Is that not important to you?
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
@margaretcho of course. In fact, legislation was introduced in direct response to this case. Our dept investgated and arrested 3 individuals
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 17, 2015
Good 4 you, but 2 attackers got off with community service. What will happen to Kathryn Knott(police chief daughter) https://t.co/e0r8Vboszt
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
That looks like it might be up to a judge to decide following a jury trial.
So you're saying hate crimes had not been prosecuted until now in Philly? And thanks for arresting 3 attackers. https://t.co/e0r8Vboszt
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
@margaretcho Yes they had, but the laws did not cover this case – this link explains more http://t.co/3mv1zI6SFp
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 17, 2015
I see. Thanks for the info. Bless. X https://t.co/4RFT2MxnNA
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
@PhillyPolice please promise to keep all citizens of Philadelphia safe. I'm not there to help but I say a prayer for you. #endgaybashing
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
@margaretcho all of us have sworn an oath to do that – and it's both an honor and privilege. Thank you for your kind words – stay safe
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 17, 2015
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015
After coming to an understanding with the police, Cho offered an explanation for her hostility.
Just about to start my period-I'm sure that's obvious from my tweets.AND I'm on a delayed @AmericanAir flight. #angerspewinginalldirections
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) October 17, 2015