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No bail for Amish beard cutters

File photo. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Four Amish men held on hate-crime charges for allegedly cutting men's beards must remain in an Ohio jail until their trial, a federal magistrate said.

U.S. Magistrate George Limbert at a hearing Wednesday called the defendants flight risks and a danger to the Amish community, the Youngstown (Ohio) Vindicator reported Thursday

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Samuel Mullet Sr., Johnny Mullet, Daniel Mullet and Emanuel Schrock were arrested last week along with three other men for allegedly attacking and cutting the hair of fellow Amish men as part of a religious dispute. A man's beard and hair are considered sacred in the Amish religion.

Hearings for Levi Miller, Eli Miller and Lester Mullet will be held Friday.

The seven men were arrested last week for attacks that occurred in September and October.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Bridget Brennan said Samuel Mullet of Bergholz, Ohio, is dangerous because of the influence the 66-year-old Amish bishop exerts in his community. An attorney for Daniel Mullet said the disagreement between Samuel Mullet and the others is an internal power struggle rather than a religious dispute.

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