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Trio To Fight Gay Assault Case At Evidence Hearing

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Defense lawyers plan to challenge accusations that three young adults attacked a gay couple over their sexual orientation at a preliminary hearing.

The three are accused of attacking the men when the two parties crossed paths on the street the night of Sept. 11. The encounter left one of the men with a broken jaw.

Defense lawyers insist that both parties played a role in the encounter, and say the men's sexual orientation wasn't an issue.

Authorities used social media sites to help police identify the suspects. They include the daughter of a suburban Philadelphia police chief.

Police have charged 24-year-old Philip Williams of Warminster, 24-year-old Kathryn Knott of Southampton and 26-year-old Kevin Harrigan of Warrington with aggravated assault, conspiracy and other charges.

The hearing is on Tuesday.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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