Justin D. Mohn, a 33-year-old man from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is facing trial for the alleged murder of his father, Michael F. Mohn, in a high-profile case that has drawn significant media attention. The tragic incident occurred in January 2024 at their Levittown home, where both men resided along with Justin's mother, who discovered her husband's body in a bathroom. Justin Mohn has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including murder, abuse of a corpse, and terrorism-related crimes.
According to prosecutors, Justin Mohn murdered his father using a newly purchased pistol before decapitating him with a kitchen knife and a machete. The gruesome act was filmed, and a 14-minute video of the incident was briefly available on YouTube before being removed. In the video, Mohn expressed his anti-government sentiments, ranting against various issues, including immigration and fiscal policy, while referring to his father as a traitor due to his 20-year tenure as a federal employee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Following the crime, Justin Mohn was apprehended after allegedly attempting to breach Fort Indiantown Gap, the Pennsylvania National Guard headquarters. Armed with a handgun, he intended to persuade National Guard soldiers to mobilize against the federal government. Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn disclosed that Mohn had hoped to incite a rebellion, demonstrating his intent to engage in violent anti-government actions.
Upon his arrest, authorities discovered a USB device in Mohn's possession containing photos of federal buildings and apparent instructions for making explosives. His online writings revealed violent rhetoric against the government, further compounding the severity of his charges. Mohn's defense attorney, Steven M. Jones, indicated last week that he does not foresee the case being settled through a plea deal, suggesting a determination to move forward with a trial.
The victim, Michael Mohn, aged 68, was an engineer well-regarded for his work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Justin Mohn's actions and statements during the incident have led to significant media scrutiny, particularly due to the extreme nature of the crime and the subsequent rants captured in the now-removed video. Furthermore, during a competency hearing last year, it was revealed that Mohn had even attempted to reach out to the Russian ambassador to the U.S., seeking refuge and apologizing to President Vladimir Putin for having claimed to be the czar of Russia.
The trial, set to commence on Monday in the Philadelphia suburbs, is expected to be closely monitored due to the shocking nature of the charges and the events surrounding them. The legal proceedings will address not only the details of the crime but also explore Justin Mohn's mental state and motivations leading up to the incident.
