A preliminary hearing date of Dec. 16 has been set for three defendants accused of attacking a gay couple in Center City earlier this month.
Attorneys for Kathryn Knott, Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan appeared before Common Pleas Judge Roger Gordon Tuesday morning. None of the suspects, who were released last week on bail, was present.
The three are charged with two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and one count of criminal conspiracy. At a preliminary hearing, a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for a case to proceed to trial.
Knott, Williams and Harrigan are accused with attacking a gay couple at 16th and Chancellor streets Sept. 11. During the incident, the suspects allegedly hurled antigay epithets at the men.
The hearing, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 16 in Room 406 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Knott was represented by Louis Busico, Williams by Perri Fortunato and Harrigan by Joshua Scarpello. The case is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Michael Barry.
Barry did not return an immediate request for comment.