Bearded bishop tells of raid by Amish wielding scissors

An AMISH bishop yesterday claimed his chest-length beard was cropped in a late-night attack by members of a breakaway sect now accused of hate crimes.

Myron Miller, 46, told a court in Ohio he had been concerned about cult-style “brain-washing” by the group of 16 fellow Amish.

“I saw the flash of scissors right by my head,” Mr Miller said, holding up two fingers to demonstrate the open blades.

US prosecutors allege five such beard- and hair-cutting attacks last year constitute religious hate crimes. The defence has said they amounted to internal church discipline.

Amish men do not shave after marriage, believing it signifies their devotion to God. “I tried to get away,” said Mr Miller, testifying how four or five men dragged him by the beard from his farmhouse on 4 October. He said the beard-cutting left him in shame. “It was humiliating,” he told the court.

The defendants, said to be part of a group led by Sam Mullet Snr, could face jail if convicted on charges that include conspiracy and obstructing justice.