BREAKING: Philadelphia DA To Charge Three Attackers In Mob Gay-Bashing

Philadelphia's ABC affiliate reports:

Three people will be charged in an attack on a gay couple in Center City Philadelphia. The accused are Philip Williams, 24, Kevin Harrigan, 26, and Katherine Knott, 24, all of Bucks County, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. Arrest warrants have been approved for the three suspects. Each will be charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and criminal conspiracy.

The incident unfolded at 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th. "This vicious attack shocked the entire country. An assault on people because of their sexual orientation has no place in Philadelphia," DA Seth Williams said in a statement. The two victims suffered serious facial injuries. They claim they were targeted for being homosexual and savagely beaten. Persons of interest being interviewed by police last week claimed it was a mutual fight, sources told Action News.

It appears that the basketball coach is not being charged. (Tipped by JMG reader Paul)

PHILADELPHIA: Multiple Arrests Expected In Brutal Mob Gay-Bashing Case

Via Jen Coletta at Philadelphia Gay News:

A police source said this week that they were nearly "ready to go" in terms of making arrests and said charges are expected "this week." A key witness, the source said, was due in for an interview Monday, "the girl who was right in the middle of it all." After that, the source said, the District Attorney's Office will review all of the evidence collected in the case and make a decision about charges. "People are going to get locked up," the source said.

As the men were being attacked, one of their bags, containing a cell phone and wallet, fell to the ground and one of the assailants took it. A source close to the investigation said one of the members of the group said she picked up the bag in the melee thinking it belonged to a companion and, upon realizing it did not, dropped it at 16th and Walnut streets. The bag was discovered by a homeless person, who used one of the victim's credit cards. "The credit card was used several different places, so we've had to go to all the places the card was used and investigate," the source said.

As of Monday morning, police had completed 18 interviews with members of the group and witnesses. Each interview, the source said, takes about four hours. Prolonging the process, the source added, is that each person in the group has retained a separate, private attorney. "What happens with cases like this is that, if you rush it and don't do a good job, they'll start throwing out charges later on. These kids all have top-notch attorneys, so if our case isn't put together on our end, they're going to pick it apart. But we've put together a great case for the DA and we'll be working in conjunction with the DA to bring the charges."

The case was broken open last week after a Twitter sleuth identified the mob via photos and their social media accounts. Almost immediately, a basketball coach at a local Catholic high school either resigned or was terminated (accounts differ) due to his involvement. That coach, Fran McGlinn, has supporters on Twitter who are using the hashtag #McGlinnocent. (Tipped by JMG readers Str8 Grandmother and Paul)

RELATED: The attack on the two men has spawned renewed and widespread support for the resurrection of an LGBT-inclusive hate crimes law in Pennsylvania, including from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf. A previously existing law was overturned by the state supreme court several years ago following a lawsuit by the anti-gay hate group Repent America. This Thursday state Rep. Brian Sims will co-host a Philadelphia rally in support of the pending legislation.

PENNSYLVANIA: Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Wolf Endorses Hate Crimes Bill

"The recent vicious attack perpetrated on two men in Philadelphia is incomprehensible and those responsible should be severely punished. We, as a society and a community, cannot stand for these assaults on our individual freedoms. No one, no matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation, should ever have to live in fear of walking down the street. William Penn founded Pennsylvania on the basis of fairness and tolerance and, I believe, we must continue to be a place that pays faithful tribute to those good values. I know that all people – regardless of sexual orientation – should be treated equally under the law. As governor, I will work to level the playing field by promoting legislation like House Bill 300 that makes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression a protected class and House Bill 745 that amends Title 18 of the Ethnic Intimidation Act to include sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity. And I will be a vocal advocate for the right of all Pennsylvanians to be treated with dignity and respect. I wish a full and speedy recovery for the two victims, and I hope the people responsible will be brought to justice swiftly." - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf, via press release.

RELATED: According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, Wolf is presently leading GOP incumbent Gov. Tom Corbett by 24 points.

PHILADELPHIA: Catholic High School Fires Coach Over Gay-Bashing Attack

One of the suspects in last week's brutal mob gay-bashing of two gay men has been fired by the Philadelphia Catholic high school where he was a basketball coach. Most of the attackers are believed to be former classmates at the school. Via NBC Philadelphia:

Police say the man, who has not been officially charged, is a person of interest in last Thursday’s assault on two gay men. Police are in the process of interviewing several persons of interest after they released surveillance video and photos of a group of men and women who may have been involved in the attack. Sources told NBC10 some of the alleged attackers were alumni of Archbishop Wood Catholic High School in Warminster, Pa. A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia told NBC10 that one of the persons of interest was also the assistant basketball coach at Archbishop Wood. “He was not a teacher at the school but serving as a coach on a contract basis. He was terminated this evening and will not be permitted to coach in any Archdiocesan school,” the spokesperson said. “We expect all those who work with students in our schools to model appropriate Christian behavior at all times.”

The school has released a statement denouncing the attack.

Earlier today, Archbishop Wood High School became aware that some of its former students were allegedly involved in the assault of two men in Center City last week. This afternoon, administrators communicated with the entire Archbishop Wood school community to make it emphatically clear that the school does not, under any circumstances, tolerate or condone the violent and hateful behavior displayed by those who took part in this senseless attack. Administration also stressed that Catholic schools are centers of learning where students are expected to treat each other in a Christ-like manner at all times and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The actions of those who took part in the attack are reprehensible and entirely unacceptable. They are not an accurate reflection of our Catholic values or of Archbishop Wood High School.

(Tipped by JMG reader Str8 Grandmother)