After a series of contentious, "heated" deliberations, a Philadelphia jury returned a mixed verdict Friday in the assault trial of Kathryn Knott, finding the Bucks County woman guilty of simple assault and conspiracy to commit simple assault against Zachary Hesse, one of two victims beaten as they walked to get pizza in Center City on Sept. 11, 2014.

Knott also was found guilty of reckless endangerment against both Hesse and his boyfriend, Andrew Haught, but acquitted of aggravated assault, a felony and the most serious charge against her.

Knott, 25, of Upper Southampton, Bucks County, stared straight ahead as the jury's forewoman, Joan Bellinger, announced the verdict Friday before a mostly filled courtroom that included both victims, their supporters, Knott's family and friends and several reporters. Knott's supporters responded likewise, showing no tears, breakdowns or outbursts.



Hesse and Haught also reacted without visible emotion, maintaining their composure as the verdict was read.

The jury – eight women and four men – reached a verdict around 11:30 a.m. on its third day of deliberations. Bellinger, one of three jurors who spoke afterward with reporters, described deliberations as "heated," saying the jury compromised to reach a decision. Another juror, Gina Cook, described the process as "three days of fighting, vomiting and getting sick."

Bellinger, a 67-year-old Catholic woman from Logan, said she was offended by Knott and the group that encountered the couple, noting many went to Catholic school together. She was emotional as she spoke afterward, expressing remorse for the victims.

"I just felt so bad for them," Bellinger said. "This is so unnecessary. It just never should have happened. Everything about it was wrong. It's just not fair to them. It's not fair to anyone with any sensibility, whatsoever."

Knott, wearing a light blue sweater and black slacks, exited the courtroom at the side of her father, Karl, a police chief in Chalfont Borough, Bucks County. The victims exited among several supporters two minutes later, calmly passing a throng of reporters without offering any remarks.

Knott was the last of three defendants to face charges in the beatings of Haught and Hesse. Her two co-defendants – Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan – pleaded guilty to their involvement earlier this year. They were sentenced to probation and 200 hours of community service at an LGBT center.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry says prosecutors are satisfied with the mixed verdict returned by jurors in the Kathryn Knott assault trial, saying it shows Knott was not an innocent bystander in the beatings of Andrew Haught and Zachary Hesse. (John Kopp / PhillyVoice)

Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry said he was satisfied with the verdict, thanking the jury for its service. He said the victims are happy to finally put the incident behind them.