On September 11, two gay men were
viciously attacked by a group of strangers shortly after leaving a Philadelphia restaurant, both were hospitalized with serious injuries. It didn't take long before
internet sleuths used social media to identify the attackers.
This afternoon, Philadelphia prosecutors announced that the attackers have been officially charged:
One woman and two men face aggravated assault, simple assault, conspiracy and reckless endangerment charges in relation to the Sept. 11 violent attack on two gay men in Center City that left one of those men in the hospital with multiple fractures.
District Attorney Seth Williams issued the arrest warrants for Philip Williams, 24; Kevin Harrigan, 26; and Katherine Knott, 24.
Although it appears to be the very definition of a hate crime, Philadelphia Police Commissioner said state law
does not currently cover sexual orientation:
"There's no statute, unfortunately, that adds sexual orientation to the hate crime statute - which is a shame. There should be. No question about that," he said.
With that, the commissioner joined a growing number of legislators who have spurred a renewed push to expand the current law.
State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Phila.) - who has twice introduced bills to expand the hate-crimes law to include sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity - has said he hopes outrage over the assault will finally lead to change.