Amish in court over haircut attacks

Sixteen men and women pleaded not guilty in beard- and hair-cutting attacks against fellow Amish in the US state of Ohio. A feud over church discipline allegedly led to attacks in which the beards and hair of men and hair of women were cut, considered deeply offensive in Amish culture. The Amish believe the Bible instructs women to let their hair grow long and men to grow beards and stop shaving once they marry. The defendants and their lawyers overflowed defence tables and the jury box as they entered the pleas before US District Court Judge Dan Polster in response to an updated indictment. The latest indictment added new allegations that the suspects tried to hide or destroy evidence, including a disposable camera, shears and a bag of hair from the victims. Members of the Amish community who were in court left through a rear enclosed walkway without speaking. The judge said he would keep the schedule set after the first indictment - a July 30 deadline for any plea change and August 27 trial. Joseph Dubyak, attorney Linda Schrock, daughter of alleged ringleader Samuel Mullet Sr, said the related extended families are helping each other during the busy planting season...