20-year-old man accused of planning WA terror attacks faces bail hearing
Consensus Summary
A 20-year-old man named Jayson Joseph Michaels faces terrorism charges after police raided his parents’ home in Bindoon, WA, in February 2024, seizing weapons, ammunition, and a manifesto detailing plans for attacks on Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques. Michaels allegedly wrote in his diary that his planned violence would surpass the Bondi beach shootings, referencing extremist ideologies and researching targets like mosque entry points. His lawyer argued the case was weak, portraying Michaels as a depressed, isolated youth engaging in escapism, while prosecutors emphasized his detailed planning, online radicalization, and preparation for a coordinated attack. Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail, citing disturbing diary entries and evidence of research into explosives and weapons. Michaels remains remanded in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 2024. The case highlights tensions between defense claims of fantasy versus prosecution arguments of deliberate planning, with conflicting details emerging from different sources about his motives and specific actions.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, is accused of plotting a terrorist attack targeting Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques in Perth, WA, following a raid on his parents’ Bindoon home in February 2024.
- Police seized a written manifesto, dozens of rounds of ammunition (900+), guns, and knives during the raid at Michaels’ home in Bindoon, about 75km northeast of Perth.
- Michaels allegedly wrote in his diary that his planned attack would be worse than the Bondi beach shootings, referencing the December 2023 attack with the line: 'What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today.'
- Michaels appeared via video link from Casuarina Prison during his bail hearing on March 2024, where he was remanded in custody after Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail.
- Michaels’ lawyer, Christian Porter, argued his client was depressed, isolated, and engaged in escapism with no real intent to carry out the plans, describing the diary as 'big talk' or a 'Marvel comic.'
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson stated Michaels researched mosque entry points, practiced lock-picking, and consulted extremist white supremacist manifestos and online forums.
- Michaels allegedly planned to use a van resembling an ambulance for escape, designed a jacket patch for notoriety, and researched explosives and firearm construction via 3D printing.
- The diary was found locked in a drawer in Michaels’ bedroom and contained derogatory references to ethnic groups, according to Magistrate Coleman.
- Michaels is charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act, using a carriage service to menace, possession of prohibited weapons, and unauthorized ammunition storage.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Michaels allegedly downloaded a manifesto referencing 'point scoring' during a terrorist attack, a term tied to a right-wing mass killer’s tactics.
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson mentioned Michaels referred to avoiding ASIO and anticipated notoriety from the attack, including designing a jacket patch.
- Magistrate Belinda Coleman noted Michaels researched explosives and firearm construction using a 3D computer, and liaised with others about crafting weapons.
- Michaels allegedly practiced picking locks in his bedroom and researched the most advantageous times to attack a mosque based on foot traffic.
- Michaels allegedly compared his planned attack to the Bondi shootings with the line: 'What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today,' and wrote about how it might impact his case.
- The Guardian described Michaels’ diary as having 'all the hallmarks of a Marvel comic' and a 'Walter Mitty-esque fantasy,' with 'big talk' to ingratiate himself with others.
- Michaels allegedly planned to buy a ballistic helmet and design body armor resembling an 'Iron Man-style metal suit.'
- The prosecutor stated Michaels allegedly accessed online material described as a 'manifesto and instruction manual from a declared terrorist organization.'
- Defence lawyer Christian Porter suggested Michaels may require an assessment for autism spectrum disorder.
- ABC noted Michaels was held in a 'special handling unit' in prison due to safety concerns and had reported a threat to his safety.
- Michaels allegedly proposed joining the Army Reserve as part of his plans, according to Magistrate Coleman.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- NEWSCOMAU states Michaels allegedly researched explosives and firearm construction using a 3D computer, while ABC and Guardian do not mention this specific detail.
- The Guardian describes Michaels’ diary as a 'Walter Mitty-esque fantasy' and 'big talk,' while NEWSCOMAU frames it as 'shocking and awful' but weak due to lack of intent.
- ABC mentions Michaels allegedly proposed joining the Army Reserve, which is not mentioned in NEWSCOMAU or Guardian.
- NEWSCOMAU and Guardian both describe Michaels’ diary as locked in a drawer, but only NEWSCOMAU explicitly states it was found in a 'locked drawer in his bedroom.'
- The Guardian implies Michaels allegedly planned to use a van that looked like an ambulance for escape, but NEWSCOMAU does not mention this specific detail.
Source Articles
WA man charged with terrorism offences wrote of Bondi attacks in diary, court told
Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, had reflected on the Bondi attacks in his diary and was allegedly planning a "day of justice", a Perth court hears....
Man accused of plotting WA terror attack believed assault he was planning would be worse than Bondi beach shootings, court hears
Jayson Joseph Michaels allegedly planned attack on police headquarters, Parliament House and mosques Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or da...
‘Escapism’: Terror-accused’s court claim
A man who is accused of plotting a mass casualty terror attack in one Aussie capital has told a court he was merely fantasising....