Pennsylvania Man on Trial for Father’s Murder

A Pennsylvania man is facing trial for allegedly killing his father, including beheading him, and posting the act on YouTube. Justin D. Mohn, 33, claimed the murder was “Plan B” after a confrontation where he felt his father was about to arrest him for what he termed false accusations and rebellion.

On January 30, 2024, Justin appeared in court near Philadelphia, marking the third day of his trial concerning the murder of his father, Michael F. Mohn.

In a blue sports coat, he spoke plainly, hands tied to his waist, showing little emotion during over two hours of testimony and cross-examination.

Responding to his lawyer, Stephen Jones, Justin stated he shot his father in their Levittown bathroom, claiming his father had threatened him, asserting he’d rather die than let Justin take the gun from him.

“Unfortunately, he resisted,” Justin noted.

He discussed various notebooks presented during the trial, identifying terms like “boom” and “slice” as part of his “Plan B,” indicating he expected his father to comply with what he referred to as the citizens’ arrest.

Justin described himself as politically distinct from his left-leaning parents. He mentioned wanting to prevent his father from pursuing a political path akin to that of President Donald Trump, referring to a false statement his father made in an unrelated civil case.

When questioned about beheading his father, Justin explained it was to convey a message to federal employees regarding his demands. He noted he wasn’t motivated by hatred but believed the act could lower violence. Notably, his mother, Dennis Mohn, cried during the proceedings upon hearing his testimony.

Justin expressed, “I knew that not only could it be that the amputated head and other things go viral, but it could reduce violence.”

Prosecutors asserted that Justin used a new pistol to shoot his father and subsequently beheaded him with both a knife and a machete. He had uploaded a 14-minute video of the incident to YouTube, which was taken down after a few hours.

The day after the murder, Justin was arrested near the state’s National Guard headquarters after attempting to breach a security fence. During court proceedings, he admitted to knowing it was wrong to do so and was alleged to have encouraged others to participate in an attempt to overthrow the U.S. government.

Authorities found a USB device on him containing images of a federal building along with plans for explosives. His writings indicated violent anti-government sentiments that had been developing for years. Earlier during the trial, the judge heard from his mother, who recounted her son’s ominous warnings about his online actions before the incident.

Dennis testified that while looking for a job, Justin had relied on her and her husband for financial support and guidance. Prosecutors described the murder as resembling a horror film, portraying it as a cold and calculated act.

Justin’s father, remembered in court as a good neighbor and devoted parent, had been a federal employee for 20 years. In his YouTube videos, Justin labeled his father a traitor while making various critiques of the government, immigration policies, and international issues.

During a mental competency hearing last year, it was noted that Justin had written to the U.S. ambassador, attempting to apologize to President Vladimir Putin for seeking refuge, claiming to be the Russian emperor. The judge ruled him competent to stand trial.

Evidence presented in court included disturbing photos and videos of the crime shared on YouTube, with the judge advising spectators of the graphic nature of the content. The trial is being conducted as a bench trial, meaning only a judge is present to hear the case, not a jury.