Man Convicted of Murder After Disturbing Video Posted Online
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – A man from Pennsylvania was found guilty of murder on Friday, having posted a haunting video of his father’s severed head on YouTube. He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
In January 2024, Bucks County Judge Stephen A. Col determined that 33-year-old Justin D. Mohn was responsible for the death of his father at their Levittown home, situated just outside Philadelphia.
Following the verdict, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Sean expressed her relief, stating that Mohn exhibited “a complete and total lack of regret” and referred to the crime as “unimaginable” and “immeasurable.”
“I’m relieved this outcome keeps our community safe from Justin Mohn,” Sean added.
There was no immediate comment from Mohn’s defense attorney, Stephen M. Jones.
Prosecutors disclosed that Mohn shot his father, Michael F. Mohn, aged 68, with a firearm he had recently acquired and subsequently beheaded him using both a knife and a machete. The 14-minute video was live on YouTube for a few hours before being taken down. During his testimony, Mohn claimed he acted because his father shot him first, stating he decapitated him to send a message to government officials to meet his demands.
Interestingly, the day before his arrest, Mohn had been expanding the fence at Fort Indian Town Gap, a National Guard post, and had made calls for others to join him in efforts to undermine the U.S. government.
Evidence collected at his arrest included USB devices containing images of federal buildings as well as instructions on making explosives, authorities reported.
Prosecutors characterized the murder as something one would see in a horror film, arguing that Mohn carried out a “cold, calculated, organized plan.” His father was an engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Philadelphia area.
Mohn’s violent anti-government sentiments were evident in writings dating back years. In a backdrop, his mother recounted an occasion when Justin visited their home, warning them about his online posts prior to the tragedy.
With all the disturbing evidence presented—including graphic photos and videos—the judge cautioned victims and witnesses regarding the nature of the images during the trial. Mohn maintained that he was competent to stand trial despite troubling behaviors, including a letter he wrote to the U.S. ambassador where he attempted to apologize to President Vladimir Putin, bizarrely calling himself the Russian emperor.
In court, Michael Mohn was remembered as a supportive father and an admirable neighbor, in contrast to the actions of his son, who disparaged him as a “traitor” in his online posts.
