A Philadelphia judge ruled Thursday that Justin Mohn, the man accused of beheading his father and posting a video of it online, is competent to stand trial. The decision came after a five-hour hearing where Mohn, smiling and nodding throughout, dismissed his public defender and requested new counsel.
Dr. Kelly Chamberlain, a forensic psychologist testifying for the prosecution, described Mohn as intelligent, calm, and socially appropriate during their two meetings. She disputed the findings of defense expert witness Dr. John Markey, who diagnosed Mohn with delusional disorder, citing letters where Mohn claimed to be a messiah-like figure persecuted by the government.
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Mohn’s case gained notoriety after his arrest at a National Guard base following the online circulation of the gruesome video.
The judge’s ruling means the case will proceed, despite Mohn’s apparent objections to his previous attorney’s mental health defense strategy.
According to prosecutors, Justin Mohn fatally shot his father with a pistol before using a kitchen knife and machete to decapitate him at their home in Levittown.
Following the gruesome act, Mohn recorded a video in which he held up his father’s head, identifying him as a 20-year federal employee and calling for violence against the government. Bloodstains were discovered on a desk in the room where the video was filmed, alongside a computer with several open tabs, including YouTube.
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In the video, Mohn also rants about various conspiracy theories and issues, including the Biden administration, immigration, the border, fiscal policy, urban crime, and the war in Ukraine. The video was uploaded to YouTube and remained online for several hours before being removed.
Justin Mohn faces charges of first-degree murder, abusing a corpse, and possession of instruments of crime. He is currently being held without bail.
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