Background: News footage of a press conference by Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn after a judge sentenced Justin Mohn to life without parole (WTXF). Inset: Justin Mohn (Bucks County District Attorney’s Office).
A Pennsylvania man who killed and beheaded his father, then displayed his severed head in a 14-minute video manifesto on overthrowing the federal government, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Justin Mohn, 33, was found guilty on Friday of all 13 charges against him following a bench trial, including the first-degree murder of his father, 68-year-old Michael Mohn. During a press conference carried by local Fox affiliate WTXF, Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn also highlighted the conviction on two terrorism charges, saying that it was the “first of its kind” in Pennsylvania.
Schorn stated that Justin Mohn was “emphatic” in his lack of remorse for what he did, saying, “He does not feel remorse, he does not feel guilt.”
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In a press release, the DA’s office cited “extensive” evidence of premeditation by Justin Mohn, whose anti-government views were made known in his now-infamous YouTube manifesto as well as writings found and shared by investigators. Much of that writing was presented in court as evidence by the prosecution, including letters that Justin Mohn sent to right-wing figures, including President Donald Trump, Joe Rogan, and Tucker Carlson, asking for support.
As Law&Crime previously reported, Justin Mohn expressed several grievances with the federal government and blamed the federal government for his inability to find employment. He unsuccessfully sued the federal government for discrimination, leading him to believe that a revolution was needed.
While being escorted out of the courthouse during a prior hearing, Mohn was asked why he killed his father.
“He was a federal employee and betrayed me,” Mohn told Philadelphia NBC affiliate WCAU.
More from Law&Crime: ‘We were just trying to help him’: Mom recalls the ‘red flag’ from police before her son allegedly beheaded his dad and shared it online
When asked about why the death penalty was not being pursued, Schorn admitted that while she could not provide a satisfying answer, the decision was made after “extensive discussions” with the Mohn family. The Mohns, who made victim impact statements before the sentence was handed down, reportedly told Schorn that they were concerned that Justin Mohn would still find a way to “have a platform for the rest of his life to spew his political rhetoric, his disgusting, vile thoughts and ideas.”
Justin Mohn was convicted of first-degree murder, two counts of terrorism, two counts of possession of an instrument of crime, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession of a weapon, criminal use of a communication facility, terroristic threats, defiant trespassing, and abuse of a corpse.
Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr delivered the guilty verdict on Friday and sentenced Justin Mohn to two life sentences without the possibility of parole.
