Man Accused of Plotting Mass Casualty Terror Attack Believed Plan Would Surpass Bondi Beach Shootings
A man accused of orchestrating a mass casualty terror attack targeting public buildings and places of worship believed his assault would be more devastating than the murderous Bondi Beach mass shootings. Jayson Joseph Michaels meticulously detailed his alleged plan for a violent assault on Western Australia police headquarters, WA Parliament House, and mosques in a personal diary, the Perth Magistrates Court was informed during a failed bail application on Wednesday.
Diary Entries Reveal Chilling Intent and Preparation
The 20-year-old defendant is confronting five serious charges, including acting in preparation for a terrorist act, after police seized the diary during a raid on his parents' residence in Bindoon, north of Perth, in February. Commonwealth prosecutor Kirsten Nelson asserted that the diary contained entries constituting a comprehensive list of actions Michaels planned to undertake, such as manufacturing weapons and body armour for what he termed a 'day of justice.'
'The diary is a clear expression of his intent to engage in a terrorist act,' Ms Nelson emphasised in court. Michaels, who appeared via video-link from Casuarina Prison sporting a chin beard and long hair, allegedly intended to purchase a 3D printer to fabricate a firearm and secured employment to access bomb-making materials, though he departed empty-handed after a single day.
Comparison to Bondi Attack and Extremist Ideology
Prosecutors revealed that Michaels drew direct comparisons between the Bondi Beach attack and his own terror plot, documenting notes about its potential impact. 'What I want to do to both these groups pales in comparison to today,' he allegedly wrote following the December 14 shootings that resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. In another entry, he pondered, 'What will they all think when my face is on TV?'
The court heard that Michaels accessed online material concerning extremist white supremacist ideology, including content described as a manifesto and instruction manual from a designated terrorist organisation. His diary also included research on entry points and door locks at target locations, alongside considerations of using a van disguised as an ambulance to facilitate his escape.
Defence Argues Fantasy, Prosecution Points to Evidence
Michaels' defence lawyer, former federal attorney-general Christian Porter, contended that his client was an isolated and depressed young man with no genuine intention to execute the plan. 'This was a pie in the sky dream,' Mr Porter stated. 'A Walter Mitty-esque fantasy.' He characterised the diary as having 'all the hallmarks of a Marvel comic' and argued the Crown's case was weak due to its reliance on the document.
However, Magistrate Belinda Coleman described the diary entries, discovered in a locked drawer, as 'disturbing' and far from mere 'ramblings.' She noted the material was 'chilling' and contained derogatory references to ethnic groups. Additionally, authorities allegedly found two firearms, 900 rounds of ammunition, and various knives in Michaels' bedroom, factors contributing to the bail refusal.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Jayson Joseph Michaels has not yet entered pleas to the charges and is scheduled to appear at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on May 13 for further proceedings. The case underscores ongoing concerns about domestic terror threats and the role of online extremist content in radicalising individuals.
