Ohio Amish suspect agreeable to house electricity

CLEVELAND (AP) — The leader of a breakaway group of Amish charged in beard-cutting attacks against fellow Amish in Ohio says he would install electricity at home to permit his pretrial release on electronic monitoring.

The suggestion was filed Wednesday in Cleveland federal court by the defense seeking the release of 66-year-old Samuel Mullet Sr. of Bergholz near Steubenville in eastern Ohio.

Two judges have ordered him and six co-defendants jailed to await trial.

Last week the judge handling the detention issue said electronic monitoring wasn’t an option because Mullet’s farm doesn’t have electricity in keeping with Amish practice.

Mullet’s attorney says the Amish shun electric appliances, not electricity.

Prosecutors say electricity isn’t the issue, but the alleged risk to the community and other Amish if the defendants are released before trial.