DAY IN COURT

UPDATE: Kathryn Knott Finally Speaks In Philly Gay Bashing Trial; Denies Throwing Punches, Says It’s OK To Use “Gay” As An Insult If The Person Isn’t Gay

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The trial of alleged Philly gay basher Kathryn Knott is nearly over, and true to “ugly criminal defense tactics” form, Knott’s lawyers are pulling out all the stops to get their client off.

Of course, that’s what they’re being paid to do, but it doesn’t make us flinch any less.

Like, for instance, when the defense called two witnesses to the stand to testify that the victims actually attacked them.

It’s going to take a lot of Fireball for us to buy that one, and we suspect we’d pass out before a credible argument could be made.

Related: Alleged Gay Basher Kathryn Knott’s First Day In Court Is As Dramatic And Damning As Expected

This morning Kathryn took the stand, testifying she, “didn’t don anything wrong,” and that, “it’s OK to use ‘gay’ as an insult if not directed at a gay person.”

Another exchange with ADA Barry regarding a Tweet Knott had sent about how her hair looked that day using the word “dyke” reportedly went like this:

Q: Do you use the word dyke?
A: It’s not on my everyday vocabulary list.
Q: Would you agree it’s a hateful word?
A: I would disagree.
Q: Is it a slur?
A: I think our interpretation of words is different. [more back and forth]
Q: Is it demeaning?
A: What’s said there is not demeaning towards anybody.

The questioning of Knott continued — she was asked about the time she was banned from a bar in Hilton Head, and about her participation in a “bros and hos bike crawl.”

Then the defense called seven character witnesses to the stand, two of whom reportedly said “hundreds of people” know Kathryn Knott’s “reputation for being peaceful and nonviolent.”

Knott is charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy and related charges.

Related: Meet Kathryn Knott, The Violent Homophobe Who Beat A Gay Couple Unconscious

Her former co-defendants, Kevin Harrigan and Philip Williams, pleaded guilty in October to assault charges. Knott rejected a plea deal in order to go to trial.

Prosecution has argued that while Knott wasn’t responsible for the worst of the punches thrown that night, she did “run toward the fight” and “she threw punches.”

Related: Philly Gay Bashing Victims Break Silence: “A Simple ‘Sorry’ Would’ve Went A Long Way”

Those punches ultimately resulted in one of the victims, Andrew Haught, having his eye socket broken and his jaw shattered.

We’ll bring you more updates on this story as they happen.

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