20-year-old man accused of plotting WA terror attack faces court hearings
Consensus Summary
A 20-year-old man named Jayson Joseph Michaels is facing terrorism charges in Western Australia after police allege he planned a violent attack on public buildings and mosques in Perth. Michaels, who was arrested in February during a raid on his parentsâ home in Bindoon, allegedly documented his plans in a locked diary, detailing intentions to use weapons, explosives, and even body armor. His alleged motivations included extremist white supremacist ideology, and he compared his planned attack to the Bondi beach shootings. All three sources agree on the core charges, the seizure of weapons and ammunition, and the refusal of bail by Magistrate Belinda Coleman, who described his writings as disturbing. However, the prosecution and defence diverge on Michaelsâ intentâprosecutors argue his actions show deliberate planning, while his lawyer portrays his diary as escapism or fantasy. The case highlights tensions between online radicalization, mental health concerns, and the legal distinction between planning and execution in terrorism charges.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jayson Joseph Michaels, 20, is accused of plotting a mass casualty terror attack targeting Western Australia Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques in Perth
- Michaels allegedly wrote in a diary about planning a âday of justiceâ and compared his intended attack to the Bondi beach shootings, stating âWhat I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to todayâ
- Police raided Michaelsâ parentsâ home in Bindoon, north of Perth, in February 2024, seizing a locked diary, two guns, 900 rounds of ammunition, and various knives from his bedroom
- Michaels allegedly accessed extremist white supremacist ideology online, including manifestos and instruction manuals from declared terrorist organizations, and researched bomb-making materials and 3D-printed weapons
- Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail for Michaels, describing his diary entries as âdisturbingâ and not mere âramblingsâ
- Michaels appeared in court via video link from Casuarina Prisonâs special handling unit and is due to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on May 13
- Michaels is charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act, possessing prohibited weapons, and failing to store firearms properly
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Michaels allegedly planned to buy a 3D printer to manufacture a gun and secured a job to access bomb-making materials but left empty-handed after one day
- He allegedly wrote about designing and building body armor or an âIron Man-style metal suitâ and considered using a van resembling an ambulance for escape
- Michaels allegedly accessed the âWatch People Dieâ website, which was open on his computer when police raided his room
- Defence lawyer Christian Porter described Michaelsâ diary as having âall the hallmarks of a Marvel comicâ and a âWalter Mitty-esque fantasyâ
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson stated Michaels consulted manifestos of right-wing mass killers and white supremacists, researched mosque entry points, and discussed plans in online chat forums
- Nelson argued Michaels had a âtimeline of things to achieveâ over years and referenced âpoint scoringâ from a downloaded manifesto, indicating deliberate planning
- Magistrate Coleman noted Michaels had researched explosives and firearm construction via 3D printing and was âliaising with othersâ about weapon crafting
- Porter claimed Michaelsâ diary entries were âdespicableâ but represented âescapism and an attempt to make friendsâ with others
- Defence lawyer Porter suggested Michaels may require an assessment for autism spectrum disorder
- Michaels allegedly proposed joining the Army Reserve and made efforts to gain employment to obtain explosives ingredients
- The ABC noted Michaels was held in a âspecial handling unitâ in prison due to safety concerns and had reported a threat to his safety
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian describes Michaelsâ diary as containing âa list of actionsâ he planned to undertake, while ABCâs Porter frames it as a âpie-in-the-sky planâ with no real intent
- Newscomaauâs prosecutor Nelson emphasizes Michaels had a âtimeline of things to achieveâ over years, whereas the Guardianâs Porter dismisses it as a âfantasyâ with no actionable steps
- The Guardian reports Michaels allegedly wrote about designing an âIron Man-style metal suit,â but this detail is not mentioned in the other two sources
- ABCâs Porter suggests Michaels may have autism spectrum disorder, a claim not referenced in the Guardian or Newscomaau
- Newscomaau states Michaels allegedly practiced picking locks in his bedroom, but this is not mentioned in the Guardian or ABC
Source Articles
WA man charged with terrorism offences wrote of Bondi attacks in diary, court told
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âEscapismâ: Terror-accusedâs court claim
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