Casteel

A jury convicted Raulie Wayne Casteel on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, of terrorism and related charges for of terrorism and other charges for shooting at vehicles along I-96 between Lansing and Detroit.

(Lisa Roose-Church | The Associated Press )

HOWELL - A man who said he opened fire on motorists along a busy southeast Michigan highway because he believed they were part of a government conspiracy against him was convicted Wednesday of terrorism, assault and other charges.



A jury deliberated over parts of two days before reaching a verdict against Raulie Casteel, 44, of Wixom. He faces up to life in prison.



Casteel told jurors Monday in Livingston County Circuit Court in Howell that he was filled with fear and anxiety while in traffic, most likely from undiagnosed delusional and paranoid thinking.



During questioning from his lawyer, Charles Groh, the defendant conceded that he fired at cars along the Interstate 96 corridor, but that he "absolutely" did not intend to hurt or terrorize any of the drivers.



"I saw a long line of traffic, felt fear and anxiety and shot," Casteel testified, describing one of the October 2012 shootings that took place in four counties, forced schoolchildren inside during recess and had the area on edge for weeks.



"I can't testify to the number, but I did fire at cars, yes," said Casteel, who added that he kept a handgun on the floorboard near his right leg.



In one instance, Casteel testified that Jennifer Kupiec, who had been tailgating him on I-96 then passed his car on the right, agitated him to the point that he picked up the gun, rolled down the passenger side window and fired at Kupiec's car.

He shot at cars between Lansing and Detroit, ramping up an unprecedented police investigation, according to the testimony of an Ingham County Sheriff's deputy.



Under questioning from assistant attorney general Gregory Townsend, Casteel said he never thought about the ramifications of the shootings, only that he wanted "to send a message to back off."



The jury was asked to consider an attempted murder charge in the shooting at Kupiec's car, but Casteel instead was convicted of a lesser charge - assault with a dangerous weapon.



Casteel didn't contest the other gun charges. Police said they matched his gun to bullet fragments recovered from victims' vehicles.



Casteel was the only witness called by the defense.



Last year, Casteel pleaded no contest but mentally ill to assault and firearms charges in Oakland County in connection to related shootings that took place there. He faces up to 12 years in prison when he is sentenced Thursday. A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes. The mental illness allows him to get treatment in prison.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said, “Raulie Casteel committed acts of violence that terrorized our state in unimaginable ways, and today the victims of his shooting spree received justice. Schools changed bus routes, commuters took back roads to and from work, and sports fans feared traveling to weekend games.

“I would like to thank our partners in local, state and federal law enforcement who dedicated unprecedented resources to apprehending Casteel before his reckless behavior took any lives.”