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Samuel Mullet and Amish beard-cutters to be sentenced Samuel Mullet and Amish beard-cutters jailed
(about 3 hours later)
An Ohio Amish sect leader and 15 of his followers are to be sentenced for their roles in hair- and beard-cutting attacks on Amish people in 2011. An Ohio Amish sect leader has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for directing hair- and beard-cutting attacks on Amish people in 2011.
Prosecutors have recommended a life sentence for Samuel Mullet Sr, 67, who planned five such attacks. Fifteen of Samuel Mullet's followers were also given prison sentences ranging from one to seven years.
They were convicted of hate crime after prosecutors argued the attacks were motivated by religious disputes. They were convicted of hate crime after prosecutors argued the five attacks were motivated by religious disputes.
Amish people believe the Bible instructs women not to cut their hair, and men to grow beards once they marry.Amish people believe the Bible instructs women not to cut their hair, and men to grow beards once they marry.
His ankles in chains, Mr Mullet told Friday's hearing that he had spent his life trying to help people. His ankles in chains, Mullet, 67, told Friday's hearing that he had spent his life trying to help people.
"That's been my goal all my life," he told US District Judge Dan Aaron Polster. 'Terrorised'
"That's been my goal all my life," he told the hushed courtroom.
But Judge Dan Aaron Polster was not convinced.
"The victims were terrorised and traumatised," he told the court. He said the victims of the attacks had their constitutional rights to religious freedom violated.
Mullet has been accused of running a cult and exercising absolute control over the breakaway Amish settlement he founded two decades ago.Mullet has been accused of running a cult and exercising absolute control over the breakaway Amish settlement he founded two decades ago.
He allegedly punished male members by making them sleep in chicken coops. Mullet also practised sexual "counselling" for married women in his community, according to court documents.He allegedly punished male members by making them sleep in chicken coops. Mullet also practised sexual "counselling" for married women in his community, according to court documents.
During the trial, victims of the attack testified they were restrained and had their hair forcibly cut using scissors, clippers, shears and battery-operated razors. During the trial, victims of the attacks testified they were restrained and had their hair forcibly cut using scissors, clippers, shears and battery-operated razors.
Defence lawyers argued the attacks were a result of personal disputes in the Amish community in Bergholz, Ohio.Defence lawyers argued the attacks were a result of personal disputes in the Amish community in Bergholz, Ohio.
They argued for leniency citing the hardship the small community had faced without some of the men during the winter.They argued for leniency citing the hardship the small community had faced without some of the men during the winter.
Prosecutors have recommended lighter sentences for Mullet's followers and suggested that family members serve at different times in order to care for the defendants' 50 children. Prosecutors recommended lighter sentences for Mullet's followers and suggested that family members serve at different times in order to care for the defendants' 50 children.
Nine of the male defendants are currently in prison, while one male and all six female defendants have remained free on bail.
Mullet was not accused of participating in the hair-cutting attacks, but prosecutors said he encouraged the other defendants - six women and nine men, including four of his sons - to carry them out.Mullet was not accused of participating in the hair-cutting attacks, but prosecutors said he encouraged the other defendants - six women and nine men, including four of his sons - to carry them out.
"There is no doubt that Mullet wanted, agreed with and encouraged all of these attacks," prosecutors said in a court filing."There is no doubt that Mullet wanted, agreed with and encouraged all of these attacks," prosecutors said in a court filing.