20-year-old WA man charged with terrorism offences and planning attacks on public sites
Consensus Summary
A 20-year-old man named Jayson Joseph Michaels from Western Australia was charged with terrorism offences in February 2024 after police raided his parents’ home in Bindoon, seizing firearms, ammunition, and knives. Michaels allegedly documented plans in a locked diary for a ‘day of justice’ targeting WA Parliament House, mosques, and police headquarters, referencing the 2023 Bondi Beach attack as inferior to his intended violence. Prosecutors argue his online research, extremist content consumption, and detailed planning demonstrate intent, while his defence portrays him as an isolated, depressed youth engaging in escapist fantasies. Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail, describing his writings as ‘disturbing’ and not mere ramblings, though she noted potential risks in prison. His next court appearance is set for May 13, with charges including preparation for a terrorist act and weapons offences. Sources agree on core facts but differ slightly on specifics like his motivations, the extent of his planning, and his mental state.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, was charged with terrorism offences in February 2024 after a raid on his parents’ home in Bindoon, WA, about 75km northeast of Perth
- Police seized firearms (two guns), 900 rounds of ammunition, and a large knife collection during the raid at Michaels’ Bindoon home
- Michaels allegedly wrote in a diary about planning a ‘day of justice’ targeting WA Parliament House, mosques, and police headquarters in Perth
- Michaels allegedly referenced the December 2023 Bondi Beach attack, writing ‘What I want to do to both of these groups pales in comparison to today’
- Michaels appeared in court via video link from Casuarina Prison’s special handling unit and was remanded in custody; bail was refused by Magistrate Belinda Coleman
- Michaels is charged with ‘doing an act in preparation for a terrorist act,’ ‘using a carriage service to menace,’ and ‘possession of a prohibited weapon’
- Michaels allegedly researched mosque entry points, locks, and timing for attacks, and planned to use a 3D printer to make a gun
- Michaels’ diary was found in a locked drawer in his bedroom and contained disturbing entries, including references to white supremacist ideology
- Michaels allegedly accessed extremist online content, including the ‘Watch People Die’ website, and discussed plans in online chat forums
- His next court appearance is scheduled for May 13, 2024, at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Defence lawyer Christian Porter suggested Michaels may require an assessment for autism spectrum disorder
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson mentioned Michaels allegedly planned to design a patch for a jacket to wear during attacks
- Magistrate Coleman noted Michaels had reported a threat to his safety in prison but would remain in the special handling unit
- Michaels allegedly wanted to make a gun using a 3D printer and had a timeline of planned actions over the coming years
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson stated Michaels allegedly consulted manifestos of right-wing mass killers and white supremacists
- Nelson mentioned Michaels allegedly referred to ‘point scoring’ as a reference to a manifesto from a declared terrorist organisation
- Nelson said Michaels allegedly anticipated notoriety from the attack and designed a jacket patch for his planned assault
- Magistrate Coleman described Michaels’ writings as ‘the writings of a disturbed youth’
- Michaels allegedly wrote about buying a ballistic helmet and designing ‘Iron Man-style metal suit’ body armour
- Michaels allegedly considered using a van resembling an ambulance for escape during the attack
- Defence lawyer Christian Porter compared Michaels’ diary to a ‘Marvel comic’ and ‘Walter Mitty-esque fantasy’
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson mentioned Michaels allegedly accessed extremist white supremacist ideology described as a ‘manifesto and instruction manual from a declared terrorist organisation’
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC and Newscomaau describe Michaels as allegedly researching explosives and firearm construction via 3D printers, but only ABC explicitly states he ‘planned on designing a patch to put on a jacket’ for the attack
- Newscomaau and Guardian both mention Michaels allegedly referencing ‘point scoring’ or ‘what will they all think when my face is on TV,’ but only Newscomaau attributes this directly to a manifesto from a declared terrorist organisation
- ABC and Newscomaau describe Michaels’ diary as ‘disturbing’ and ‘not just ramblings,’ but only ABC explicitly states the diary was ‘locked in a drawer at his home’
- Guardian mentions Michaels allegedly left a job after one day to access bomb-making materials, while ABC and Newscomaau do not mention this specific detail
- ABC and Newscomaau both mention Michaels allegedly researching mosque entry points, but only Newscomaau states he allegedly ‘practised picking locks in his bedroom’
Source Articles
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