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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Wed Sep 12, 2012, 01:05 PM Sep 2012

Federal prosecutors, defense lawyers debate religious motivation for Amish beard-cutting attacks

Last edited Wed Sep 12, 2012, 01:37 PM - Edit history (1)

Is it a hate crime when you share the same religion with those you attack?

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/09/post_49.html

Published: Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 12:01 PM Updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 12:52 PM
By James F. McCarty, The Plain Dealer



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Followers of Amish bishop Samuel Mullet waged a "campaign of terror" against nine religious enemies last fall, shearing their victims' beards and hair "like animals," a federal prosecutor told jurors at the close of a three-week hate-crimes trial this morning.

"Lawless violations in the name of religion -- that, ladies and gentlemen, is what this trial was about," Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Parker said during her closing arguments to the jury.

Defense lawyers rested their case Tuesday without calling a witness. They will rely on their oratorical skills, pleading with the jury that the charges were wrong -- that the attacks were not motivated by religion.

J. Dean Carro, who represents defendant Lester Miller, described the beard cuttings as symbolic acts delivered with pure intentions predicated on compassion and love for the recipients, who had strayed from the Amish way of life.

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Federal prosecutors, defense lawyers debate religious motivation for Amish beard-cutting attacks (Original Post) cbayer Sep 2012 OP
Why does it need to be a hate crime? How about just a regular crime, assault and battery. cleanhippie Sep 2012 #1
This reminds me of Rmoney EC Sep 2012 #2

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
1. Why does it need to be a hate crime? How about just a regular crime, assault and battery.
Wed Sep 12, 2012, 01:25 PM
Sep 2012

With the appropriate jail time?

EC

(12,287 posts)
2. This reminds me of Rmoney
Wed Sep 12, 2012, 02:12 PM
Sep 2012

and his holding down that guy and cutting off his hair, just because HE didn't like it.

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