A trial date has yet to be set for the three people accused of attacking a gay couple in Center City this past fall.
At a pre-trial hearing Thursday, Common Pleas Judge Frank Palumbo scheduled Kathryn Knott, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams to return for another pre-trial bring back 9 a.m. April 16. Such proceedings are held throughout the discovery phase, as defense attorneys and prosecutors review the evidence they have collected.
The trio faces aggravated and simple assault, conspiracy and reckless endangerment charges in connection with the Sept. 11 attack on Zachary Hesse and Andrew Haught.
The couple was walking at 16th and Chancellor when they encountered Knott, Harrigan, WIlliams and a group of their friends. The trio allegedly used antigay language and assaulted both men, leaving Haught with multiple broken bones.
Pennsylvania has no LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes law. Philadelphia adopted such a measure shortly after the incident, but the trio cannot be charged under it, since it became law after the incident.
The April 16 hearing, in Room 905 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St., is open to the public. Once the discovery phase has ended, the case will be assigned to a trial room, where a trial date will be set.