The criminal-justice branch in the Ministry of Attorney General has issued a news release offering more details about the hiring of three special prosecutors.

The assistant deputy attorney general in charge of the branch, Joyce DeWitt–Van Oosten, appointed Vancouver lawyer Michael Tammen on November 1 in connection with threats issued against B.C. Liberal MLA Mike Bernier, who represents Peace River South.

Pouce Coupe resident Leslie Earl Brown pleaded guilty on February 28 to criminal harassment against Bernier after making threatening comments against the MLA on Facebook.

One of Brown's posts expressed a wish that Bernier would die in a plane crash.

Brown also pleaded guilty to unlawful intimidation, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, and assaulting a peace officer—all against members of the RCMP.

According to the news release, he received a six-month conditional jail sentence and 18 months' probation for criminal harassment, and one day in jail for uttering threats. He served four months behind bars awaiting trial.

New Westminster lawyer Kris Pechet was named as a special prosecutor in January in connection with alleged intimidation of a prosecutor during a bail hearing in Nelson.

The accused, Leonardo Nathan Fierro, has been charged with uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm.

Fierro's next court appearance is expected on April 1.

The third special prosecutor, Vancouver lawyer Mark Jetté, is overseeing the Crown's case against Michael Melvin Williams.

He's been charged with assault and mischief in connection with an alleged attack on NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert's constituency assistant.

Williams's next court appearance is on April 4.