[MA] Officer Michel's lawyer blames WIFE for police standoff

..."She told us he tried to kill her and would kill any officer that tried to arrest him..." says Chief Jeff Farnsworth of the Hampden Police... Michel's lawyer, Thomas Rooke, says it's all a big mix up... his client never knew the police were outside his home. He says Michel's wife admitted to having a drinking problem, and had been drinking the night she called police. She says she made up the whole story... says Michel's wife is to blame...

Officer gives up after standoff
The Republican
September 07, 2007
Springfield Police Department yesterday suspended officer Thomas P. Michel, who threatened his family and police during a five-hour standoff with officers at his Stony Hill Road home... charged with assault and battery, threatening to commit a crime, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault with intent to murder while armed... He indicated he would do harm to himself, his wife and child and any police officer who tried to stop him... Following the standoff police recovered several weapons from the house... Prior to joining the force, he spent five years as a correctional officer...

Springfield Policeman Accused of Taking Hostages
By CBS 3 Springfield
Updated: Sep 7, 2007
Police say Michel made threats to kill any police officer who attempted to arrest him. After that call, police got a warrant to arrest Michel the next morning. When Hampden and State Police went to his house Thursday, Michel allegedly held his wife and small child hostage for two hours. He finally allowed his family to leave...

Policeman Accused of Taking Family Hostage, Once Helped Save a Boy
By CBS 3 Springfield
Sep 7, 2007
...On June 30, 2006, 44 year old Springfield officer Tom Michel helped save an 18 month old boy after his father accidentally ran him over with a lawnmower... Michel was the hero that day but Thursday morning he was on the opposite side of the law...

Springfield Police Officer Jailed for Allegedly Threatening His Wife's Life
WorldNow / 22News
September 6, 2007 10:57 p.m.
...Officer Michel is now charged with: Assault and battery, Threat to commit a crime, Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Assault to murder while armed... Springfield Police spokesperson Jennifer Flagg told 22News, Officer Thomas Michel has been suspended without pay pending an administrative hearing on the matter next week. Flagg adds that the Springfield Police Department was happy to hear that no one on scene was injured during that incident. Michel is scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning at Palmer District Court...
Bail Denied for Michel, Former Springfield Police Officer
WorldNow / 22News
September 7, 2007
..."She reported to the officers that the night prior, on September 4, she and her husband got into a physical altercation and that he began choking her and held a gun to her head," said Marie Angers, Assistant District Attorney. "My position, as told by my client and confirmed by his wife, is that she was grossly intoxicated and she doesn't have a clear memory of speaking with the police. She denied that he ever assaulted her," said Thomas Rooke, Michel's Attorney... the judge said he has to be held without the right to bail until his dangerousness hearing on Monday. Also, next week, Springfield Police Spokesperson Jennifer Flagg told 22News, Officer Michael has been suspended without pay pending an administrative hearing on the matter next week.

Officer Accused of Holding Family in Court
CBS3SPRINGFIELD.COM
Story Published: Sep 7, 2007
Sep 7, 2007
...his lawyer says Michel's wife is to blame... the Swat Team, State and Hampden police surrounded his home... police say they got a call from his wife, Judith, the night before, saying her husband held a gun to her head and tried to choke her... "She told us he tried to kill her and would kill any officer that tried to arrest him..." says Chief Jeff Farnsworth of the Hampden Police... Michel's lawyer, Thomas Rooke, says it's all a big mix up... his client never knew the police were outside his home. He says Micheal's wife admitted to having a drinking problem, and had been drinking the night she called police. She says she made up the whole story... Rooke says Michel resisted arrest because he was thrown off guard when he saw dozens of police officers outside his home...