There were 16 defendents in this case where one sect of Amish formed a gang that violently kidnapped members of another sect of Amish and cut off their hair and beards.
Ohio Amish beard-cutting ringleader gets 15 years
The ring leader's name is Mullet, which is also the name of a formerly popular hair cut.
But 15 years? Mr. Mullet was found guilty of a hate crime, which explains the long sentence. It is essentially a life sentence, because he is older.
"I am being blamed for being a cult leader," Mullet said Friday. "If somebody needs to be punished, I'll take the punishment for everybody."
In addition to the conspiracy charge, Mullet was convicted last year on six additional counts, including lying to the FBI, for planning the attacks, which were likened to animals being shorn.
In
another article, where you will find a group picture of the hair-cutting defendents it states
Mullet wasn't accused of cutting anyone's hair. But prosecutors said he planned and encouraged his sons and the others, mocked the victims in jailhouse phone calls and was given a paper bag stuffed with the hair of one victim.
In one of the attacks, an Amish woman testified that her own sons and a daughter who lived in Mullet's community cut her hair and her husband's beard in a surprise assault.
Mullet started his own community on his land about 20 years ago. There are other unsavory rumors about him but not included in this hate crime case.
The hair cutting assaults are completely unacceptable; however, 15 years seems like a very long time for this hateful crime and has brought a great deal of shame to the Amish communities.
If the Amish are having a hard time getting along in these stressful times, how does this bode for the rest of us?