12 members of breakaway Amish sect charged with hate crimes after community members had beards cut off

Twelve members of a breakaway Amish group have been charged with hate crimes over attacks where fellow Amish had their beards cut off, prosecutors announced yesterday.

The seven-count indictment against Samuel Mullet and 11 relatives or members of his group include charges of conspiracy, assault and evidence tampering in Steubenville, eastern Ohio farm country.

Five attacks between September and November involved cutting off women's hair and men's beards and hair - considered deeply offensive in Amish culture.       Full Read