Evidence in Amish beard attacks includes receipt for mane shear

CLEVELAND - There was emotional testimony in court Thursday during the trial of a breakaway Amish group accused of cutting the hair and beards of other Amish. But there were also a few interesting pieces of evidence presented by federal prosecutors.

Attorneys showed the jury a receipt for a mane shear from New Bedford Sharpening Service, which sharpens knives and blades, as well as sells clippers and grooming shears. Prosecutors said the shears were purchased by one of the people involved in the hair-cutting spree.

The receipt is dated Oct. 4, 2011 and at the bottom reads “Caution: Sharpened items are extremely sharp. Please handle with care.”

Federal prosecutors said 16 Amish men and women forcibly cut the beards and hair in a series of five attacks that happened between September and November. The suspects have been charged with hate crimes, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice. If convicted, some could have more than 20 years in prison.

Also on Thursday, prosecutors presented the two photos that resulted in the trial. In one, defendant Johnny Mullet uses one hand to grab the beard of a 79-year-old victim while he uses his other hand to cut. The other photo shows the hair clippings that were left on the floor.

“He was so ashamed with the way he looked,” the 79-year-old victim’s son said. “He was heartbroken. The victim, who is a bishop in Holmes County, didn’t preach until his hair grew back. Amish men do not cut their beards after marriage as a sign of their devotion to God.

Investigators said the pictures were taken with a disposable camera by one of the suspects.

Victims of the attacks, which the defense has maintained is a religious dispute, were left bruised and bleeding. The group of Amish women in the courtroom on Thursday shielded their faces from the photos.

The suspects rejected a plea deal and most have not denied that the attacks happened, but said the government has not place in the disagreement between two Amish groups.