CLEVELAND - An Ohio Amish sect leader was sentenced on Friday to 15 years in federal prison for his leadership role in beard- and hair-cutting attacks on members of other Amish communities in 2011.
Prosecutors had recommended a life sentence for Samuel Mullet Sr., 67, who was convicted of a hate crime in September for orchestrating attacks carried out on six Amish men and two women, though he was not present for any of them.
Fifteen of Mullet's followers in the breakaway Amish sect from Bergholz, Ohio, who were also convicted of multiple counts of conspiracy and kidnapping under federal hate crimes laws received lesser prison sentences on Frida
"There is no doubt that Mullet wanted, agreed with and encouraged all of these attacks," prosecutors said in a court filing.
Mullet and members of his Bergholz, Ohio, community were convicted of multiple counts under the Federal Hate Crime statute, including conspiracy and kidnapping for attacks prosecutors said were motivated by religious disputes between Mullet and other Amish leaders.
The Amish are known for their plain dress and shunning of technology. Amish women and married Amish men do not cut their hair or beards, because they are symbols of living a religious life.
Victims of the attack testified they were restrained and had their hair forcibly cut using scissors, clippers, shears and battery-operated razors. The followers then brought the beard and head hair back to show Mullet.
Defense attorneys disputed the nature and seriousness of the crimes, arguing that the attacks were a result of personal, not religious, disputes and that the offenses do not deserve the lengthy sentences proposed by the government.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/08/16899647-amish-sect-leader-sentenced-to-15-years-for-role-in-beard-cutting-attacks?liteI hate shunning, but life in prison for ordering haircuts? Dunno.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
