10/19/11 Charges against codefendants in alleged attack on Amish bishop go to common pleas court

  • By Nick Sabo
  • October 19, 2011
  • 293
                        
SUMMARY: Additional charges possible through grand jury, prosecuting attorney says Charges against five men charged with attacking an Amish Bishop and his family will go before the grand jury after the codefendants waived their rights to a preliminary hearing Wednesday Oct. 19. Daniel S. Mullet, 37, 8865 County Road 53, Bergholz; Eli M. Miller, 31, 385 Township Road 280, Bergholz; Levi F. Miller, 53, 35 County Road 53, Bergholz; Johnny S. Mullet, 38, 362 Township Road 280, Bergholz; Lester S. Mullet, 26, 522 Township Road 54, Hammondsville, appeared Wednesday in Holmes County Municipal court each on charges of kidnapping and aggravated burglary. They were represented by Loudonville attorney Andrew Hyde. The charges stem from an Oct. 4 incident. The five men allegedly entered the Township Road 606 home of an Amish bishop and cut the bishop’s, and his son’s, beards and hair. Three other individuals present at the home were also allegedly assaulted. The codefendants met with Hyde at the courthouse before deciding to waive the preliminary hearings. In a preliminary hearing, the state must prove that a crime has been committed and the persons charged are the most likely culprits. Hyde said the five men made the decision to waive “knowingly and intelligently”. The men were calm and quiet as they signed paperwork waiving the hearing. They appeared dressed in traditional Amish clothing and made the trip from Jefferson County accompanied only by a driver, Hyde said. Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said additional charges are possible and may be brought when the grand jury meets Oct. 24. “The investigation is ongoing,” Knowling said. “There may be additional charges and additional defendants. It’s like any other case.” Hyde has been retained by the defendants as sole legal council. Hyde said he intends to go forward representing all five as long as a conflict does not arise. “That’s a real big issue with me right now,” Hyde said. “Although at this point I don’t see a conflict, but, for example, there may be a confession that implicates the others. I am comfortable with the situation through their arraignment.” Hyde said he intends to spend as much time as possible with the defendants at their homes. He has met previously with the defendants while they they were at the Holmes County jail. The defendants made bail of $50,000 each Oct. 13. “I can’t give an opinion now as to the direction the case will take,” Hyde said. The case will be heard by Common Pleas Judge Robert D. Rinfret. Hyde said his clients do not appear to present a threat to the local Amish community. “These are complete gentlemen with strongly founded Christian beliefs,” Hyde said. Hyde further stated any concerns have been caused by “fear mongering”. The defendants belong to a congregation headed by former Fredericksburg Amish bishop Sam Mullet. The congregation split from the Fredericksburg church over an incident wherein Mullet shunned several families from the church. His decision was overturned by a state-wide council of bishops. The congregation now resides in Jefferson County. The Amish bishop who was allegedly attacked was part of the state-wide council. At least two other men who were part of the council are believed to have been attacked in a similar manner, according to reports by Jefferson County Sheriff’s reports. The charges against the defendants are first-degree felonies each carrying up to 10 years in prison.


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