Stories about the Amish as victims – or perpetrators – of crime.
Lizzie Hershberger grew up Amish in Minnesota. She is the subject of a new documentary called Keep Quiet and Forgive, which premieres nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens on March 23. In today’s post, author Haley Straw shares how she met Lizzie, more on her story, and what she hopes to achieve. Lizzie Hershberger didn’t expect the moment to stand out. About seven years ago she…
Last November, 16-year-old Elmer Borntrager lost his life when he was hit by a car while driving a buggy in his Clarke County, Iowa community. Elmer was left behind on the road by the driver, who fled the scene. Authorities later located the man they believed was behind the wheel – 41-year-old Jacob Wright, who was charged with multiple offenses, including Involuntary Manslaughter. Wright pleaded…
This is not a breaking news story, and many of you have probably heard of it by now. A 22-year-old man named Ivan Miller, who grew up in an Amish family, is charged with murdering three women in a “killing spree” in Utah. The killings were done seemingly at random, allegedly so he could acquire basic resources like a car and money. Miller was arrested…
Ruth Miller appeared in court as scheduled today following last week’s not guilty by reason of insanity verdict in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Having reviewed the expert reports and testimony, Judge Michael Ernest decided Miller’s placement in a mental health facility near Miller’s home community. From WKYC: NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Ruth Miller, the Amish mother recently found not guilty by…
Judge Michael Ernest delivered his verdict this morning in Tuscarawas County, Ohio Common Pleas Court in the case of Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son, Vincen. Judge Ernest found Miller not guilty by reason of insanity, following her waiving of a jury trial last week. From WKYC: NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Ruth Miller, the Amish mother accused…
I just finished watching the pre-trial hearing in the Ruth Miller case, intended to be the final hearing before her trial, which had been scheduled for March 4th. The big news from this is that Ruth has waived her right to a jury trial, instead opting for a bench trial. That means the judge in the case, Tuscarawas County Judge Michael Ernest, will review the…
The trial date for Amish mother Ruth Miller, charged with aggravated murder in the death of her four-year-old son Vincen, is fast approaching. It’s slated to begin in early March in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. A timely new report from People provides more back story and several disturbing details about what happened last August at Atwood Lake, not far from the couple’s Amish community. It is…
Details are scarce but the Daily Voice is reporting on an Amish school being broken into last month in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: The burglary happened at a schoolhouse on Dry Wells Road in Bart Township on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 8:13 a.m., according to the release. Troopers from the Lancaster Patrol Unit responded to the scene for a report of criminal mischief, police said. Through…
Less that two weeks ago, we learned that the Indiana State Police were seeking tips in an over 50-year-old case, in which an Amish youth was killed by a rock thrown into his buggy. Since that public call for assistance, tips have “poured in”. Not only that, ISP Detective Jake Quick says “we have some potential suspects at this time,” according to a new report…
This past summer we learned that a man who had gone on a burglary spree, targeting several Amish businesses in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, had been caught a year after the crimes were committed. Along with three Amish stores, Harley Richard Redmond had broken into several non-Amish churches, burning one down in the process – and causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Now comes…