Kathryn Knott Jury Asked One Question This Morning As Deliberations Continue
[UPDATE, 12:15 P.M., Friday] There is a verdict.
Kathryn Knott has been convicted of simple assault, reckless endangerment and conspiracy. She was found not guilty of aggravated assault. Check Philly Mag’s News channel for more detailed information on the verdict and sentencing soon.
Split verdict in Kathryn Knott trial. Convicted of simple assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy. Not guilty of aggravated assault.
— Dan McQuade (@dhm) December 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/dhm/status/677897795232243713
It’s possible Knott won’t get any jail time, but presumably the ADA will argue for it in court next year. She was not guilty of the felony.
— Dan McQuade (@dhm) December 18, 2015
Someone with extensive knowledge of Philly courts says there’s a good chance Knott does minimal jail time in city jail. Months, not years.
— Dan McQuade (@dhm) December 18, 2015
Left: Kathryn Knott. Right: A screengrab from surveillance footage released to the public last year. A Philadelphia detective identified the woman in the photo as Knott in court on Friday.
[UPDATE, 4:35 P.M.] The jury has ceased deliberations today in the Kathryn Knott assault trial. They will return tomorrow morning to continue debating the charges.
[UPDATE, 3:30 P.M.] Deliberations continued into the afternoon, where the jury asked several more questions. They have asked nine questions in all, which is not abnormal.
After lunch, Judge Covington read the legal definitions of recklessly endangering another person and conspiracy, two charges Knott is facing. It may be a sign that jurors have settled on some charges and are possibly leaning one way on those two.
[ORIGINAL] The jury is still deliberating in the Kathryn Knott case.
Knott is charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy and related charges in the September 11th, 2014, beating of a gay couple in Center City. Closing arguments were Tuesday afternoon, and the jury began deliberating yesterday morning at around 11 a.m.
Jurors have asked six questions so far, none of which are particularly telling on which way they’re leaning. They’ve asked to see statements of both prosecution and defense witnesses, and came into court yesterday afternoon to view all videos from the case. They were also shown stills of one of the videos.
The jury had just one question this morning, asking to see the police statements of both Elizabeth Foley, a woman in Knott’s group who filmed part of the incident, and Knott herself. Foley’s statement was sent back, but jurors didn’t one from Knott — she never made one. Although “about three quarters” of the 15 people in the video of Knott’s group that was released to the public last September came forward to police, Knott was not among them.
This jury question led to a debate in court between defense counsel Louis Busico and Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry. ADA Barry asked that jurors be told that Knott didn’t make a statement. Busico objected, saying that that would prejudice the jury — after all, defendants have a right to remain silent.
Judge Roxanne Covington said she would send Foley’s testimony back with a note that his was all that was available. Barry objected, saying that “not available” made it seem like Knott did give a statement. Eventually, the jury received Foley’s statement with a note that this is what could be provided.
About 20 friends and family are in court today supporting Knott.
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