A suburban Philadelphia courtroom this week heard startling testimony from a defendant accused of killing and dismembering his father, who claimed the act was a consequence of a failed attempt at a “citizen’s arrest” related to alleged treason and political grievances.
Justin D. Mohn, 33, took the stand on the third day of his trial for the January 30, 2024 homicide of his father, Michael F. Mohn. Prosecutors allege the younger Mohn shot his father using a newly purchased pistol before using a kitchen knife and a machete to decapitate him.
Defendant’s Account and Alleged Motive
During his testimony, Mohn asserted that the killing was a “Plan B” initiated after his primary intention – a citizen’s arrest of his father – proved unsuccessful. He alleged that his father had made false statements and committed treason, justifying the attempted apprehension.
Mohn elaborated on his motivations, testifying that he believed his father intended to impede his aspirations to become a politician akin to former US President Donald Trump. He also claimed his father had provided false statements in an unrelated federal civil case that Mohn himself had previously filed.
Following the alleged homicide, Mohn recorded and posted a 14-minute video on YouTube. In the video, which remained online for several hours before being removed, he displayed his father’s severed head and espoused anti-government rhetoric, calling for federal government employees to resign and demanding the cancellation of public debt.
He testified that the act of decapitation was specifically intended as a message directed at these federal employees. Mohn denied that the violence stemmed from hatred for his father or a desire to inflict trauma upon his family.
The Crime and Subsequent Apprehension
Details presented earlier in the trial by prosecutors painted a grim picture of the events on January 30, 2024. According to the prosecution, Mohn purchased the pistol shortly before the incident, allegedly using it to shoot his father before proceeding with the dismemberment using the knife and machete.
Following the alleged crime and the posting of the video, authorities initiated a search for Mohn. He was ultimately apprehended after scaling a fence at Fort Indiantown Gap, a military installation located approximately 100 miles from the family’s home in Levittown, Bucks County.
Trial Proceedings and Family Testimony
The case is being heard as a bench trial, meaning the judge is presiding over the proceedings and will render the verdict without a jury. Prior to the trial commencing, a judge had ruled that Mohn was competent to stand trial, allowing the case to proceed.
Mohn’s mother, Denice Mohn, had previously testified during the trial. She described her relationship with her husband and son as a typical father-son connection and stated that she did not foresee the violence that unfolded. She also testified that she and her husband had been providing their son, Justin D. Mohn, with financial support and guidance regarding job searches in the period leading up to the tragic incident.
The trial continues as the court considers the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense, including the defendant’s own testimony and claims regarding his motives and the nature of his actions.
