MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The Kiel man arrested near the cemetery where the private funeral for Wisconsin State Trooper Trevor Casper was being held finally made his first court appearance.
After failing to show up in front of a Manitowoc County court commissioner Tuesday and Wednesday, 56-year-old Michael Mangan appeared in court on charges of felony resisting an officer causing injury and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and disrupting a funeral.
Police say they were concerned about a "potential threat to members of the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Casper family due to a possible radical group affiliated with the suspect" who shot and killed Casper.
Although the criminal complaint does offer specifics about the “possible radical group,” court records show that Steven Snyder was part of a group of skinheads who attacked black and Hispanic people nearly 20 years ago in Fond du Lac. It's also said that Snyder had several “White Power” tattoos.
According to the criminal complaint, Mangan was seen walking along the perimeter of the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, carrying a bag with a cylindrical object which police thought could be a weapon.
When approached, Mangan said he had a right to be at the public cemetery. Police determined object to be pipe insulation. Officers informed him it was closed for the funeral. After an officer placed his hand on Mangan’s back to guide him away from the scene, Mangan became more combative. Eventually, he was placed in a squad car.
“It was clear that the items Michael was carrying with him were not meant to be used or placed on any burial plots. It was clear that Michael’s intentions were disrupt the burial ceremony and to bring attention to himself,” according to the police report quoted in the complaint.
A judge set a signature bond for Mangan, who is due back in court on Monday.