Russell man’s threats against police described as ‘chilling’

ROSSBURN — The Crown is asking the court to sentence a Russell man who’s made repeated threats against police to two years in custody.

“The level of disrespect and contempt that he shows toward members of the community who are attempting to keep the rest of the community safe … is certainly eye-opening,” Crown attorney Ron Toews said during Michael Man’s sentencing hearing in Rossburn provincial court on Wednesday.

Man, 46, was convicted of uttering threats after a trial and later pleaded guilty to three additional counts.

“These are not spurious or impulsive utterances or acts. These are comments that are made after careful contemplation,” Toews said.

The man’s lawyer argued that a time-served sentence, which is the equivalent of about 16 months, would be appropriate and still send a strong message to the community that threats will not be tolerated.

Russell RCMP received several complaints about Man sending threatening messages, including toward police, on Jan. 30, 2025.

One of the messages from Man said, “Typical worthless pig f—s in costumes came here to harass me for taking pictures … Next time that happens, I’ll wait for supper hour and kick in their door and get the whole family.”

On Sept. 8, 2025, a police officer received a chain of emails between Man and a Brandon Correctional Centre employee, in which Man made comments about his treatment while incarcerated in 2023.

One of the messages said, “I’m going to have no choice but to hunt the provincial and federal employees responsible for my stay.”

Toews said the use of the word “hunt” is “chilling in its darkest context,” as it invokes a narrative that often involves stalking, premeditation, planning, contemplation and preparation.

Saskatchewan RCMP contacted Russell RCMP on Nov. 6, 2025, and said they had been notified of threats that had been sent to Pattison Media.

In the email, Man said, “F— the police. Only good cops are dead cops. Nobody seems to want to release the details of the three pig f—s that violently assaulted me at gunpoint in the dark as vigilante justice.”

He continued by writing, “I know the RCMP member personally, and he’s going to find himself thrown through the woodchipper out on his front lawn.”

Toews described this threat as “very specific” and graphic in nature, which he said showed premeditation.

“Man engineers his language to maximize his psychological harm. He uses it to power his targets. He uses it to intimidate and to erode their sense of security within the community,” he said.

Toews said he hasn’t seen the slightest suggestion of remorse from Man, and he has a concerning lack of insight or self-reflection.

The Crown said it’s aggravating that some of his threats were posted on social media and made available to like-minded people. He said he is fomenting hate and encouraging violent thoughts toward entire classes of people.

Toews recommended that a three-year period of probation follow Man’s sentence, with a condition that he not have contact or attend the residences of any of the affected people and that he not return to Russell.

Man has a “personal animus” against police and particular RCMP members in Russell, Toews said. He said Man needs to take a new direction in his life, and one of the ways he can do that is by leaving the community.

Defence lawyer Ryan Amy disagreed with the Crown’s proposed condition banning him from the community and said Man’s only connection is his mother, whom he lived with in Russell before going into custody most recently last November. He plans on returning there once released, court heard.

Man does yard maintenance and snow removal for many members of the community, Amy said, adding that none of the threats were against “community members in Russell at large.”

Amy said Man has spent 38 years of his life in Russell.

“The only home he has is in Russell. He does not have another house. He does not have anywhere else to go,” Amy said. “They’re asking him to be banished from Russell, which would be awful for rehabilitation and protection of the public.”

Amy explained that Man had some medical issues while at Brandon Correctional Centre that were not properly cared for, which led to some of the threats.

He said this is the longest time his client has spent in custody, and it hasn’t been great. Amy said Man has witnessed assaults and been picked on.

“Deterrence has been met by the amount of time Mr. Man has spent in custody.”

Amy said his client has shown remorse for his actions and recognized that he didn’t handle his concerns in an appropriate manner. He said he is also prepared to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and do one-on-one counselling.

Man apologized in court and said because of his actions he’s lost a lot of community support. He said he was violently assaulted by a Roblin RCMP officer in 2022, and later while in custody, he was denied medical care.

“I know that’s not an excuse for the way I acted,” he said. “I’m really sorry about everything that’s gone on.”

Judge Donovan Dvorak reserved his decision.

» sanderson@brandonsun.com