US Amish plead not guilty in beard-cutting case

[FarCenter]

Sixteen members of a US Amish community accused of carrying out a string of beard and hair-cuttings against religious rivals have pleaded not guilty and are set to go on trial in August.

The defendants -- 10 men and six women -- refused to speak to media after their afternoon hearing on Thursday over what prosecutors have called "religiously-motivated assaults" between September and November of last year.

Their lawyers have urged their release, saying the seven who remain incarcerated -- including alleged ringleader Samuel Mullet -- need to get back to their families to help with the spring planting season.

...
They are accused of breaking into homes and forcibly cutting off men's beards and women's hair -- both symbols of piety for the Amish.

The defendants allegedly used scissors, battery-powered clippers and eight-inch (20-centimeter) horse mane shears "sharp enough to cut through leather," according to the indictment.


http://www.france24.com/en/20120420-us-amish-plead-not-guilty-beard-cutting-case

[unblock]

1. wait -- the charge is that mr. MULLET's haircuts are a crime?

[FarCenter]

2. That is allegedly the case.

[gratuitous]

3. This case just seems hucka bizarre

The Old Order folks I know would sooner cut off their own arm than lay hands on another person, even in self defense. Breaking into another person's house and assaulting them in this fashion? Something tells me these aren't your standard issue Amish folks.

[snooper2]

4. I'm a man of the land I'm, I'm into discipline

Got a bible in my hand and a beard on my chin
But if I finish all of my chores and you finish thine
Then tonight we're going to party like it's 1699

&ob=av2e

[Ian David]

5. I wonder what they do with all those beards after they cut them off...