Judge Won't Reduce Jail Term For Woman's Role In Gay Attack

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A judge has refused to cut a jail sentence imposed on a suburban police chief's daughter in a group attack on a gay couple that prompted Philadelphia to add sexual orientation to its hate crime laws.

Kathryn Knott will continue to serve a five- to 10-month jail term for simple assault and other misdemeanors.

Common Pleas Judge Roxanne Covington says that's not excessive considering the injuries to both the victims and the city's image.

The 25-year-old Knott has been in jail for just over a month.

Defense lawyer William J. Brennan argues that Knott deserves the probation that her two male co-defendants received.

But Covington says she declined that plea offer and went to trial.

She found "a complete disconnect" between Knott's statements and the severity of the 2014 crime.