Man found dead after standoff in lawyer's home

Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 24, 2007 at midnight

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A daylong standoff ended Friday evening when Denver police shot tear gas into the home of a high-profile defense attorney and found a man's body.

Police would not identify the man or say how he died.

But friends said they believe he is Michael Andre, 38, who often defended people charged with drug possession or who worked in the adult-entertainment industry.

"This is not the result that we wanted," John White, a Denver police spokesman, told reporters about 6:30 p.m. at a command center a block from the home at 258 S. Monroe St. in Cherry Creek.

Andre represented suspected gang member Willie D. Clark, whom police describe as a "person of interest" in the murder of Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.

White said the incident started after a woman had gone to the home about 9 a.m. and told police that a man inside had a gun. She managed to back out of the home and call police.

According to sources at News4, it was Andre's housekeeper who called police after Andre pointed a gun at her in the house.

Police then cordoned off a two-block area around the home, leaving residents of the exclusive enclave locked out.

Police swarmed the streets, and armed officers perched on the tops of buildings.

A SWAT team awaited orders in a large truck.

Authorities evacuated an adjacent townhome and used it to listen through walls, friends said.

Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said officers tried to contact the man by phone and bullhorn.

On Friday afternoon, White told reporters: "We're still attempting to negotiate with the individual inside. We want to bring the situation to a peaceful resolution.

"It's important we don't rush this guy," he added.

Jackson said Andre's 5-year- old stepdaughter was safe at school when the incident began.

But police would not definitely say whether the man was alone in the red-brick townhouse.

Friends said they doubted Andre actually pointed a weapon at anyone, but they acknowledged that he owned weapons.

They said his behavior was out of character but noted that he's been under stress because of the Williams murder case and family issues.

Andre's wife, a dancer at a club, was not home at the time, friends said.

But friends said Andre took care of his wife's extended family. They married last summer after a lengthy courtship.

"He takes care of her whole family," friend David Price said. "He feeds them and puts a roof over their heads."

Price said that after dealing with stress at work, Andre must "deal with 15 people in his house."

Andre specializes in representing clients in the adult-entertainment industry, according to his Web site.

He also focuses on cases involving drug manufacturing, sale, distribution, possession or use, according to the site.

"He's a nice guy," friend and former client Michael McGinley said.

"He's not a threat to society or to himself."

McGinley was going to meet Andre and some other friends for lunch at the Diamond Cabaret when he got wind of the standoff.

McGinley said Andre is "a wonderful dad and wonderful husband."

He also said Andre does pro bono legal work and helps whomever he can.

"I don't know what's going on," McGinley said. "We're just worried."

"He's a real nice person, just a little lost," said Debbie McGinley.

Friends said they heard that Andre had shut down phone service, making it difficult for negotiators to reach him.

Close friend Andre Walker said he suspected Andre had taken some Vicodin and was passed out in his home after being awake for a day and a half dealing with problems.

Jon Thomerson, who works with Andre on occasion, said Andre seemed fine Thursday.

Andre invited Thomerson to a fashion show featuring Andre's wife.

Thomerson said he didn't go to the show.

Retiree and neighbor Bob Hunt said, "I didn't expect it in one of these units.

poppenj@RockyMountainNews.com i>

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