Judge in Philly Gay-Bashing Case: “I’ve seen enough evidence to go forward with the trial.”

Berlin Sylvestre is Out Front's Editor.

Kevin Harrigan, Kathryn Knott, and Philip Williams appeared in court today for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there was substantial evidence to proceed to trial on charges of felony aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. After the presentation of evidence, Judge Charles Hayden determined there was enough evidence to try them.

At the hearing, a witness to the Sept. 11 attack (Geoff Nagle) took the stand and described what he saw from his apartment that evening. He claims to have seen a woman sticking her finger in someone’s face before having it pushed away. He then saw one of several men put another man in a headlock and subsequently, punches were thrown.

He testified to hearing men and women swearing and yelling, including language such as “fucking faggot.”

One of the two victims of the assault, Zachary Hesse, took the stand in an emotional testimony, saying that he and his boyfriend were out to get pizza and frozen yogurt when the incident began.

Hesse claims that when their paths crossed with the group’s, Harrigan asked, “Is that your fucking boyfriend?”

“I said, ‘Yeah, that is my fucking boyfriend,” he testified. “‘Do you have a problem with that?'”

According to Hesse, Harrigan replied, “‘So you’re a dirty fucking faggot?’ I approached him and said, ‘Maybe I am a dirty fucking faggot.’ He pushed me, I pushed him.”

Hesse claims the group surrounded him. “I was terrified,” he testified. “It’s scary to have people surround you, and your arms are being held.”

Hesse identified Harrigan as the man who hit him in the head first; Knott as the woman who either “smacked or hit” him in the head and called him a “fucking faggot;” and Williams as the man who hit him again.

Prosecutors say Hesse’s boyfriend suffered two broken cheekbones resulting in the need to wire his jaw shut for nearly two months.

The trio’s attorneys requested Judge Hayden dismiss the more serious charges, but were denied. Judge Hayden stated the prosecution had provided ample evidence to go forward, then wished all three of the defendants “good luck.”

The defendants, who initially plead not guilty and were rumored to claim self-defense, remain out on bond. Their arraignment is set for Jan. 6, 2015.

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Berlin Sylvestre

Berlin Sylvestre is Out Front's Editor.