Witness Testimony Begins in Alleged I-96 Shooter Trial Witness Testimony Begins in Alleged I-96 Shooter Trial

1/15/14 - Defense attorneys announced during opening arguments today that they will be contesting the most serious charges against the alleged I-96 shooter. Testimony got underway this afternoon after opening arguments concluded in the trial of 44-year-old Raulie Casteel of Wixom. Taking the stand were several alleged victims, a mechanic that removed a bullet from a vehicle, a detective with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department and a Wixom Police officer. Casteel faces multiple charges including terrorism related to two-dozen shootings that occurred during a two-week period in October of 2012 - three of them on I-96 in Livingston County. The case is being prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General's Office and Gregory Townsend argued the charge of terrorism is justified since the shootings had an intimidating effect on the community, causing residents to change their behaviors. He says it also had an impact on government by causing law enforcement agencies to join together and form a coalition out of a concern for public safety, ignoring the jurisdictional lines that typically divide them. Casteel’s Defense Attorney Charlie Groh stated that he will not be contesting the gun charges, but has issues with the charges of terrorism, assault with intent to murder, and the lesser charge of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm. He says terrorism requires an intent to terrorize, and that Casteel had no such intent. He says Casteel also did not intend to murder or injure anyone, arguing that he has been a target shooter and hunter for years but did not kill any of the 23 alleged victims. He said Casteel believed there were conspiracies against him, that cars and planes were spying on his actions, and that he was reacting normally for someone who believed they were in danger. He never said Casteel had a mental illness, but rather described its symptoms and made frequent references to Casteel's "demons," which he claims were triggered by oncoming traffic and tailgating vehicles. He also indicated Casteel will be taking the stand during the trial, which continues tomorrow before Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader. (JM)