The Middletown man charged with shooting his father then decapitating him in the family’s home in January is competent to stand trial, said Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Stephen Corr, following a recent daylong hearing.
Justin Mohn is accused of shooting his 68-year-old father in the head before beheading him with a knife and a machete. In a 14-minute video, Mohn displayed the wrapped head, railed against the federal government and called for the “capture and torture” of federal officials, according to prosecutors.
He’s charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse and three felony counts of terrorism. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life without parole.
The mental competency hearing came at the request of Mohn’s public defender, Joseph Haag. After an examination of Mohn, a defense psychologist recommended the 32-year-old Mohn be treated at Norristown State Psychiatric Hospital and argued the defendant was not competent to stand trial.
Mohn subsequently asked for a new attorney, reportedly saying Haag was “unethical and subversive.”
However, during the hearing, Mohn told the judge he understood why he was in court, what the charges were and the penalties, which could include the death sentence, if convicted.
A defendant is considered mentally competent to stand trial if they can assist in their defense and understand the charges against them.
Testifying for the defense, forensic psychologist Dr. John Markey told Corr that Mohn has a “delusional disorder,” according to published reports.
Dr. Kelly Chamberlain, a forensic evaluator for the Lenape Valley Foundation, testifying for the prosecution, said she did not find Mohn unable to assist in his defense, news outlets reported.
During a press conference following his arrest, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said Mohn “was of clear mind and proud of the consequences” of the gruesome crime.
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