Trial Begins for Man Who Beheaded His Father and Shared It on YouTube : The Tragic Case of Justin Mohn

Earlier this year, a gruesome incident in Pennsylvania shocked social media users.

32-year-old Justin Mohn was arrested for killing and beheading his own father, Michael Mohn.

After the decapitation, he subsequently posted his fathers head in a disturbing video on YouTube. 

This troubling and unbelievable incident shook the small community of Levittown, Pennsylvania.

Michael Mohn

According to police reports, Justin Mohn fatally shot his father with a pistol in their suburban Levittown home. 

After the shooting, he reportedly used a kitchen knife and machete to behead him. 

Mohn then recorded a chilling 14-minute video, which he posted on YouTube.

The disturbing video showed him holding his father’s severed head.

The video also included disturbing conspiracy theories targeting government officials, President Biden’s administration, and various social justice movements. 

At its peak, the video garnered over 5,000 views before being taken down by YouTube.

In the horrifying video, Mohn also called for violent attacks against members of the federal government.

He said his father was a 20-year federal employee and claimed that’s why he killed him, as he was part of the government.

Reports from news outlets mentioned that Michael Mohn's head was found in a cooking pot by responding officials.

However, this is yet to be confirmed by official sources.

The Legal Battle

Justin Mohn was promptly taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and possession of instruments of crime. 

He is being held without bail in Bucks County. 

During his preliminary hearings, disturbing new details continued to emerge.

This included Mohn's alleged to-do list for the murder and a note saying he needed to give up his medical marijuana card to get a gun.

This indicates that he planned the act carefully.

During the legal proceedings, Mohn’s behavior remained alarming. 

At one hearing, he was seen smiling and nodding along as the prosecution played the video of him holding his father’s head in court. 

Delusions or Dangerous Intent?: Assessing Mohn’s Mental State

One of the key points of discussion during the hearing was whether Justin Mohn was suffering from a delusional disorder. 

Dr. John Markey, a defense expert, testified that Mohn exhibited signs of schizophrenia.

He later changed the diagnosis to delusional disorder, citing Mohn’s strange letters as evidence.

In the letters, Justin Mohn claimed to be the messiah and sought refuge from the Russian government.

He even apologized to President Vladimir Putin for declaring himself the czar of Russia.

Despite these delusions, forensic psychologist Dr. Kelly Chamberlain testified that Mohn was smart, calm, and behaved normally during their two meetings.

Chamberlain said that Mohn’s writings, though delusional to some extent, were probably part of a bigger message he was trying to share. 

This message came from his belief that people like him had been treated badly by the government.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have suggested that Mohn’s actions were part of a calculated plan to incite violence against the federal government. 

They pointed out that the murder of Michael Mohn, a federal employee, was not a coincidence.

They also said that Mohn's video was a "call to arms" for others to join him in his violent cause.

In the end, Judge Stephen Corr ruled that Justin Mohn was competent to stand trial.

Online Platforms and Violent Extremism

One of the most concerning parts of this case is how Justin Mohn used social media to share his hateful message.

His disturbing video was viewed over 5,000 times before YouTube took it down. 

This raises serious questions about the responsibilities of online platforms in preventing the spread of violent content.

This shows the need for stronger content moderation policies, and the importance of balancing freedom of speech with the protection of public safety.

While Justin Mohn’s motives remain a topic of debate, the impact of his actions is clear. 

Michael Mohn was more than just the victim of a horrific crime.

He was a loving father, a neighbor, and a long-time member of the Levittown community. 

Justin Mohn's next arraignment is set for October 11, 2024.

It’s still unclear if the prosecution will pursue the death penalty in this tragic case.

Subscribe to our free true crime newsletter here for updates on this ongoing case. 

Also, if you or someone you know is struggling with violent thoughts or extremist beliefs, resources are available online and offline. 

You can get these resources through mental health organizations, law enforcement agencies, and online support groups. 

It is never too late to seek help.

In another similar case, a 15-year-old admitted to bludgeoning his mother to death with a sledgehammer. 

Click here for more details on that case.

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