20-year-old man accused of plotting 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, uncovering a manifesto, weapons, and ammunition linked to planned attacks on Parliament House, police headquarters, and mosques. Michaels allegedly wrote in his diary about surpassing the Bondi Beach attack’s violence and researched targets, weapons, and explosives, with prosecutors arguing his actions showed intent over escapism. His lawyer Christian Porter countered the case was weak, describing his client as an isolated youth fantasizing rather than planning real attacks, and hinted at potential autism spectrum disorder. Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail, calling the diary ‘disturbing’ and noting evidence of planning over impulsive behavior. Michaels remains remanded in custody, with his next court appearance set for May 13, 2024. Sources vary slightly on specifics like his research methods, proposed escape tactics, and psychological assessments, but all agree on the core charges and refusal of bail.
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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/diary containing plans for mass casualty attacks, dozens of rounds of ammunition (900+), guns, and knives during the raid at Bindoon (75km northeast of Perth).
- Magistrate Belinda Coleman refused bail for Michaels, describing his diary as ‘disturbing’ and ‘not just ramblings’ but evidence of intent, and noting he was remanded in custody.
- Michaels allegedly referenced white supremacist ideology, consulted extremist manifestos, and researched targets like mosque entry points and lock-picking techniques.
- Michaels appeared via video link from Casuarina Prison’s special handling unit during the bail hearing on March 2024.
- Michaels allegedly wrote in his diary: ‘What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today’ after the Bondi Beach attack (December 2023).
- His lawyer Christian Porter argued the case relied heavily on his diary, calling it a ‘form of escapism’ with no real intent to act, and mentioned potential autism spectrum disorder assessment.
- Michaels is due to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on May 13, 2024, for further proceedings.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Prosecutor Kirsten Nelson stated Michaels allegedly practised lock-picking in his bedroom and researched explosives via 3D printing and bomb-making materials.
- Nelson mentioned Michaels designed a patch for his jacket and anticipated notoriety from the attack, referencing ‘point scoring’ from a manifesto.
- Magistrate Coleman noted Michaels had researched firearm construction using a 3D computer and liaised with others about crafting weapons.
- The prosecutor highlighted Michaels’ timeline of planned actions over years, including stockpiling weapons and ammunition.
- Michaels allegedly planned to use a van resembling an ambulance for escape and considered buying a ballistic helmet or ‘Iron Man-style’ body armour.
- The Guardian described Michaels’ diary as containing ‘a list of actions’ he planned to undertake, including making weapons and body armour for a ‘day of justice.’
- Lawyer Porter compared Michaels’ diary to a ‘Marvel comic’ and a ‘Walter Mitty-esque fantasy,’ calling it a ‘pretender full of big talk.’
- The prosecutor stated Michaels allegedly accessed extremist white supremacist ideology described as a ‘manifesto and instruction manual from a declared terrorist organisation.’
- ABC noted Michaels may face risks in prison and had reported a threat to his safety, though he would remain in the special handling unit.
- The article explicitly mentioned Michaels was charged with ‘using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence’ alongside terrorism offences.
- ABC highlighted Michaels allegedly proposed joining the Army Reserve as part of his planning.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC mentions Michaels may require an assessment for autism spectrum disorder, but this detail is not referenced in NEWSCOMAU or THEGUARDIAN.
- THEGUARDIAN describes Michaels’ diary as containing ‘a list of actions’ he planned to undertake, while NEWSCOMAU frames it as ‘big grandiose ideas that were never going to happen’—implying differing interpretations of intent.
- NEWSCOMAU states Michaels allegedly researched explosives via a 3D computer and bomb-making materials, but THEGUARDIAN does not specify this method—only mentioning a 3D printer for a gun.
- THEGUARDIAN reports Michaels allegedly planned to use a van resembling an ambulance for escape, which is not mentioned in NEWSCOMAU or ABC.
- ABC notes Michaels allegedly proposed joining the Army Reserve, a detail absent from NEWSCOMAU and THEGUARDIAN.
Source Articles
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