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Amish Beard-Cutting Ringleader Sentenced

The ringleader in hair- and beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Sixty-seven-year-old Samuel Mullet Senior's sentencing came today in Cleveland federal court. Judge Dan Aaron Polster also handed down sentences ranging from one to seven years to 15 of Mullet's extended family members. The 10 men and six women were convicted last year in five attacks in Amish communities in 2011. Prosecutors say the attacks were retaliation against Amish who had defied or denounced Mullet's authoritarian style. They sought a life term. Mullet's lawyer calls it an internal matter that didn't rise to a hate crime. The attorney had asked for a sentence of two years or less. Amish believe the Bible instructs women to let their hair grow long and men to grow beards once they marry. Cutting it would be offensive to Amish.

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.