Amish guilty of hate crimes in Ohio hair attacks
CLEVELAND (AP) — Members of an Amish breakaway group in Ohio have been found guilty of hate crimes by carrying out beard- and hair-cutting attacks against fellow Amish in a dispute over religious differences.
The jury today also found their leader, Samuel Mullet Sr., guilty of planning the attacks last fall in eastern Ohio.
Mullet and his family members were among 16 people who have been on trial in Cleveland.
The government says the defendants targeted the victims’ hair because it carries spiritual significance in their faith.
They all face prison terms of 10 years or more.
Defense attorneys had conceded the hair cuttings took place but argue that the government is overreaching by calling what happened hate crimes. They say the cuttings were merely personal family disputes.
Comments
Sentences of 10 or more years? This country is out of control. The so-called "hate crime" laws were a creation fo Clinton and Janet Reno. This whole case seems off-base to me. These people are all related-some as close as father/sons/mother/daughters. Yes- a wrong was done to them. The federal gov. is wasting entirely too much time and money on issues that are family matters. Their hair was cut-it grows back. And psychological pain was inflicted.BUT-to face 10 or more years in prison is absolutely way beyond common sense. More damage will be done to these families by tearing them further apart. And we the taxpayers can pay for it all. In this day and age, with tax dolllars drying up, do we really want to do this? I for one have had enough. This kind of justice is what is wrong in this country. P.S.-see what our local judges are sentencing MURDERERS to. 3 yrs-6yrs for multiple murders. I am afraid we have gone too far now and can't recover the country we have lost.
@ jeepers :
You stole my thunder, I totally agree with you.
"Hate Crimes," an invention of a modern "touchy-feely" society with no spine.
The government witch hunt has now burned the witches and joined a long, ugly legacy of tyrannical abuse of power. This is the beginning of the end for the Amish, the most authentic Christian community in the world.
You guys do realize that this Mullet guy coerced women in his sect to have sex with him so they "could be better wives to their husbands". It goes beyond simply cutting off beards and hair.
Lock this creep up and good riddance. Nothing but a sick cult leader.
@ JudyJones :
On second thought, you have a point about Mr. Mullet and his "special counseling" sessions for the wives.
As for cutting hair, that's nonsense that the government has no business in being involved.