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Summary A religious group spent months planning hair-cutting attacks against followers of their Amish faith.
The US prosecutors said Tuesday as they laid out their case against 16 people charged with hate crimes.Such hair-cuttings are considered deeply offensive in the traditional Amish culture.The accused ringleader, Samuel Mullet Sr., and the other defendants have denied the charge in last years attacks in Ohio, and they have rejected plea bargain offers. They could face lengthy prison terms if convicted.Prosecutors say the attacks were motivated solely by religious disagreements between Amish bishops and a breakaway group.Every one of these attacks targeted those symbols of Amish righteousness, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan.The defendants describe what happened as internal church disciplinary matters and say the government shouldnt get involved.The defense was expected to present its case later Tuesday.Mullet has said he didnt order the hair-cutting but didnt stop anyone from carrying it out.Brennan said some suspects kept the hair they cut, and one defendant took along a disposable camera to take pictures. Prosecutors presented one photo to jurors, saying it showed a suspect holding an Amish bishop on the night some defendants broke into his house and cut his beard.They wanted to see the trophies they collected, she said.
