On Thursday, a Pennsylvania judge ruled that a Philadelphia man will stand trial after allegedly murdering and beheading his father, and then posting a video of the severed head online.
Justin Mohn was deemed competent to stand trial after a five-hour proceeding with Judge Stephen Corr this week, according to CNN. Mohn was also granted the dismissal of his public defender. The judge confirmed with Mohn that he would be willing to work with a new attorney.
Dr. Kelly Chamberlain, a forensic psychologist, testified that Mohn appeared intelligent, calm, and socially appropriate during their two meetings.
Mohn disapproved of his public defender’s use of a mental health defense, Chamberlain testified.
Previously, Dr. John Markey had determined that Mohn had schizophrenia. On Thursday, he changed the finding to delusional disorder, based primarily on letters where Mohn claimed to be the Messiah and said he was persecuted by the federal government similar to King David.
Chamberlain disputed the findings and believed he did not claim to be the Messiah, but rather that “Satanic” cults thought of him as such.
“I believe it could be construed as delusional,” she said, adding that his writing was part of his rhetoric. “He feels people like him have been kind of screwed over.”
Mohn reportedly nodded affirmatively during Chamberlain’s testimony.
Judge Corr also questioned Mohn during the proceedings about whether he knew why he was there. Mohn stated he was facing multiple charges, with the “most serious” being first-degree murder.
Prosecutors said they felt that the hearing demonstrated Mohn’s competency and ability to participate in his legal defense.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Mohn allegedly called his father a traitor to the United States because he worked for the federal government.
Mohn, who identified himself as a “militia leader,” was arrested 100 miles from the Bucks County scene where his father was found dead by his wife on the evening of January 30. Police said they didn’t know what Mohn’s motive was.
He was found in Fort Indiantown Gap — home to a National Guard training center — by tracking his cell phone.
Mohn posted the video to YouTube, and it was viewed more than 5,000 times before it was removed from the platform.
In the nearly 15-minute video, Mohn called it a “call to arms for American patriots,” according to Levittown Now, which saw the recording before it was taken down.
“He is now in hell for eternity as a traitor to his country,” Mohn said, holding up his father’s head.
Mohn also stated that “there are people” who believe he is the Messiah.
Justin Mohn is facing charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse, and possession of instruments of crime. He is being held without bail.
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[Feature Photo: Justin Mohn/Bucks County District Attorney’s Office]
