PHILADELPHIA: Judge Rules Alleged Basher Kathryn Knott’s Anti-Gay Tweets Can Be Used Against Her

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Remember those alleged anti-gay tweets posted by Kathryn Knott, one of the three Bucks County defendants charged in last year’s assault on a gay couple in Center City? Well, they can be introduced at Knott’s assault trial next month, a judge ruled Tuesday. Knott faces trial on a count of conspiracy, two counts of aggravated assault and related offenses in the September 2014 attack on a gay couple in Center City. Jury selection is expected to take place Dec. 9. Opening statements would likely begin the next day.

Michael Barry, chief of the District Attorney’s Central Division, told Judge Roxanne Covington during a pretrial motions hearing that Knott had posted “a number of tweets which clearly indicate a general dislike to a disgust of gays and lesbians and people of other backgrounds.” He said he was seeking to admit her tweets as evidence in her trial because “they are overwhelmingly relevant” and show a motive for her behavior on Sept. 11, 2014.

Last month’s Knott’s accomplices pleaded guilty and were sentenced to community service and probation. Knott, the daughter of a police chief, refused a plea deal. (Tipped by JMG readers Joe and Paul)