Amish accused reject ‘hate crime’ plea deals

A BREAKAWAY Amish group spent months planning hair-cutting attacks against other followers of their faith, US prosecutors said yesterday as they laid out their case against 16 people charged with hate crimes.

The accused ringleader, Samuel Mullet, and the other defendants have denied the charge in last year’s attacks in Ohio, and they have rejected plea bargain offers. They face lengthy prison terms if convicted.

Such hair-cuttings are considered deeply offensive in the traditional Amish culture.

Several lawyers for the 16 on trial don’t deny that the hair-cuttings took place, saying their clients were motivated by a family feud and lingering bitterness.

Another lawyer said one defendant, Lester Miller, took part in the hair-cuttings of his parents because he felt they had “forgotten their roots. His intention was to take a symbolic step.”

Prosecutors say the attacks were motivated solely by religious disagreements. The defendants describe what happened as internal church disciplinary matters and say the government shouldn’t get involved.

Mullet has said he did not order the hair-cutting, but did not stop anyone from carrying it out.