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Mike Missanelli vs. JAKIB Media Appears to be Headed to Trial, with One Remaining Hurdle to Clear

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jan 7th, 2026 · 3:23 PM EST

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It looks like the Mike Missanelli vs. JAKIB Media case will be heading to trial after two filings hit the court system this week. There’s just one remaining hurdle to clear.

Missanelli’s lawyer, Kevin Wright, filed with the court on Tuesday to begin the proceedings for a non-jury trial, while JAKIB owner Joe Krause is requesting a jury trial.

Included in Wright’s filing was the following note to the court:

“On December 22, 2025, I advised the defendant who is representing himself of my intention to certify this matter ready for trial.

Although Mr. Krause has never filed a demand for a jury trial or paid a fee for a jury trial in this matter, he did provide me with the enclosed “Objection” to my Trial Praecipe because it requests that this matter be listed as a Non-Jury Trial.”

Sure enough, Krause responded with a motion to correct the trial designation and strike the non-jury filing. He notes in his objection that he is representing himself without a lawyer in this case and demanded a jury trial as far back as May of 2025, in an amended answer to an amended complaint.

Shared in both documents is an email response from Krause to Wright that says this:

Counsel,

I received your email on December 20, 2025 at approximately 4:53 p.m. enclosing a letter dated December 22, 2025 and a proposed Trial Praecipe.

I do not object to certifying this matter for trial; however, I object to any Trial Praecipe being filed that designates “Jury Trial: No.” I am requesting a jury trial, and I do not consent to a non-jury listing. Accordingly, you do not have my affirmative consent to file any Trial Praecipe that lists this matter as non-jury. Nothing in this email should be construed as consent to waive jury trial rights.

Please confirm you will correct the Trial Praecipe to reflect “Jury Trial: Yes” before filing. If it is filed as non-jury, I will promptly seek appropriate relief with the Court to correct the trial designation.

Respectfully,
Joe Krause
Pro Se

Barring some unexpected turn of events, this case will go to trial since both sides are in agreement, but the judge needs to first address Krause’s motion and determine what kind of trial will take place. A jury trial is self-explanatory, while in a non-jury trial (also known as a bench trial) the judge is the sole arbiter. You still go through the typical process, like opening statements, presenting evidence, calling witnesses, etc, but it obviously moves much faster without jury selection.

This litigation has been going on for about a year and a half now. Missanelli claims he’s owed more than $50,000 for work performed on JAKIB Media’s Philadelphia Eagles’ postgame YouTube show. Krause argues that Missanelli did not sign his contract and did not perform all of the duties required by the contract. After Wright deposed Krause over the summer, Krause filed a motion for summary judgment in his favor, which was denied by Judge Jeffrey Saltz last month.