One of the victims of a vicious group attack on a gay couple in Center City took the stand Friday in the assault trial of a police chief's daughter and described how the attack left him with screws in his jaw.
At the second day of the trial of Kathryn Knott, the victim testified about how the September 2014 beating at 16th and Chancellor streets left him hospitalized for five days, his jaw wired shut. He said he missed two weeks of work while dealing with serious pain and losing 15 pounds since he could only eat soup.
Knott and two other defendants were tracked down after images of the attack were shared by news outlets and on social media. They were part of a group of suburban friends out on the town celebrating a birthday when they crossed paths with the couple on a side street. Profanity-laced taunts ensued, and before long, the couple were being punched and pummeled. One suffered a broken jaw and severe facial injuries.
That victim described his ordeal on the stand Friday saying he was put into a bear hug before being pulverized. He said at one point he looked up to a woman in a white dress — he identified as Knott — pointing and screaming the F-word.
Two co-defendants who pleaded guilty got probation — and were barred from downtown — but Knott decided to fight the charges.
Knott, 25, of Southampton, faces several years in prison if convicted of aggravated assault, conspiracy and other charges.
"She runs toward the fight," Assistant District Attorney Allison Ruth said as the trial got underway Thursday. "Out of the 15 people out there that night, this defendant was slinging those slurs."
Knott's lawyer downplayed the supposed gay-bashing motive and said the dispute went bad when another woman was struck during the fray. He said his client never touched either victim.
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The two co-defendants, Philip Williams and Kevin Harrington, both of Warrington, denied when they entered pleas that they were motivated by homophobia. They were ordered to volunteer at a community center for gays and lesbians as part of their sentence.
Knott lost her job at a hospital following her arrest. She remains free on bail.
