9/20/12 Guilty verdicts for Sam Mullet, followers, will give Bergholz community a chance to "get on the right track," sheriff says
By Nick Sabo
September 20, 2012
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SUMMARY: Sheriff Zimmerly says local charges would have been pursued if Mullet went free
Convictions for Bergholz Amish Bishop Sam Mullet and 15 of his followers is welcome news in Holmes County, Sheriff Tim Zimmerly said.
A jury handed down guilty verdicts on hate crime and conspiracy charges against Mullet, 66, in a Cleveland federal courtroom Thursday, Sept. 20. His co-defendants were convicted on other counts and charges, The Plain Dealer reports.
Online federal court records of the verdicts have not yet been filed, as of 4 p.m. Thursday.
The charges included a beard-cutting attack that occurred Oct. 4, 2011 on a Holmes County Amish bishop and his family. The bishops son testified in federal court as a witness for the prosecution.
Zimmerly said he believes the convictions are appropriate to the case and hopes it will further serve as a deterrent to criminals who prey on the Amish.
Im thrilled, I couldnt be happier about it, Zimmerly said. I think it is a great outcome. Sometimes, the Amish become victims of a crime because of a belief out there that they do not report crimes, or when they do, they dont follow up and press charges. (The sheriffs office has a good relationship with the Amish. The local bishops were very supportive of the victims and they did encourage them to come forward.
Zimmerly said his office was ready with arrest warrants to bring Mullet and his followers in on state charges if the deliberations resulted in a hung jury or if Mullet was found not guilty.
Zimmerly said the attacks and the days and months that followed have been very difficult on the community. He said that many Amish feared retaliation if Mullet was found not guilty and released.
Dont get me wrong, some of the bishops really struggled about how to handle the situation, Zimmerly said. But the ultimate goal is, these people need help. Hopefully, this Bergholz community, without Sam telling them what they can do and what they cant, can straighten their lives out and get on the right track.
Zimmerly and deputy Joe Mullet also testified in the trial. Zimmerly said he feels the prosecution handled the case very well.
The FBI and Holmes County sheriffs office worked in conjunction on the investigation, Zimmerly said.
It just goes to show what you can get done with everyone working together, Zimmerly said.
