Kathryn Knott Released From Jail Today, But Her Legal Troubles Aren’t Over

Kathryn Knott walks from the Criminal Justice Center Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo)

Kathryn Knott is now a free woman.

On Tuesday morning, Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Roxanne Covington heard Knott’s motion for parole.

“Miss Knott has been an exemplary inmate,” argued Center City attorney William Brennan, Knott’s lawyer. “She completed anger management in a timely, quick fashion. And she elected not to appeal. That speaks volumes to her sincerity.”

In February, Knott was sentenced to five to 10 months in prison for her role in the attack on two gay men in Philadelphia in September 2014. Her minimum release date was July 8th. A report issued by the prison stated that Knott had no disciplinary issues and that her parents were “very involved” with her while she was in jail. The report also mentioned that Knott had been in contact with her boyfriend via telephone.

The prosecution did not object to Knott’s parole, indicating that the victims had been notified and that they did not protest her release from jail, and Covington granted the release, effective immediately. A court clerk told Knott’s parents that the processing would take less than three hours, meaning Knott will be walking out of the courthouse a free woman on Tuesday afternoon.

Brennan had previously attempted to get Knott out of jail early twice. In the first motion, he asked Covington to allow Knott to appear in a public service announcement in exchange for early release. In the second, Brennan argued that Knott deserved time off for good behavior while in jail. Covington denied both of those requests. Due to the media attention that her case received, Knott was in protective custody at a women’s prison in Northeast Philadelphia.

Knott now faces two years of probation and must pay a $2,000 fine. While on probation, she’s not allowed to enter Philadelphia unless on official court business.

But her legal troubles are far from over. The victims in the gay-bashing case have filed a civil lawsuit against Knott and the two other convicted attackers. Additionally, a Montgomery County woman who was behind an anti-Knott Internet account filed a $5 million lawsuit against Knott, alleging that Knott was part of a conspiracy against her.

With reporting by Maria McGeary.

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