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Philadelphia Judge Rejects Motions to Downgrade Charges in Center City Gay Bashing

The two men and one woman accused of beating a gay couple on a Philadelphia street will go on trial.

Commonwealth Judge Frank Palumbo refused Thursday to downgrade charges against Philip Williams, 24; Kathryn Knott, 24; and Kevin Harrigan, 26.

The trio were held for trial in December on all counts, including aggravated assault, conspiracy and reckless endangerment stemming from the September incident.

One of the accusers testified that Harrigan used slurs to ask if he and his partner were gay and the dispute got physical.

Harrigan's attorney, Joshua Scarpello, acknowledged that his client exchanged anti-gay slurs, but he argued that it was the accusers who escalated it.

Knott's attorney said one of the victims wasn't sure there was contact with her. Williams' lawyer said his client was just helping a friend.

All three remained out on bail ahead of trial.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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