The Binion Murder Trial
Update:
On Friday May 20,2000 Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish were found guilty on all charges against them including the murder of Ted Binion. The Las Vegas Review Journal reported the findings of the jury and the reaction to the verdicts. The penalty phase of the trial begins Tuesday May 22.This penalty phase deals exclusively with the first degree murder conviction.
Forget OJ!
Anyone from Las Vegas will tell you that the Binion murder trial is the trial of the century. This trial has a little of every thing that would rival any movie script written. Drugs, money, sex, gambling and murder fill this story. Lonnie "Ted" Binion was the son of Benny Binion founder of the Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. When he was found dead September 17th 1998 is was originally reported as a drug over dose. The Binion family did not believe that this was the case and hired a private investigator. Based on his investigation the death was ruled a homicide on March 15, 1999.
Binions live-in girlfriend Sandra Murphy and her boyfriend Rick Tabish were arrested for the murders. They are presently on trial for that murder in Las Vegas.
Peter Ruchman, General Manager of the Gambler's Book Shop in Las Vegas wrote a detailed story with all the background information of this saga in the GBC Digest. Peter is a native of Las Vegas. His keen observations and personal knowledge of many people familiar with this case makes his article one of the most comprehensive stories I have read about the case. In December of 1998 Peter wrote about the Binion Legacy and mentioned the suspicion of Ted's murder by family members.
If you would like to follow this trial you have several places to find the latest news:
Court TV is broadcasting the trial live each day from Las Vegas. You can find daily updates and film clips of each day's proceedings.
The Las Vegas Sun has a section devoted to the trial bringing you the latest news along with all the archived articles and photos about the case.
The Las Vegas Review Journal has a section devoted to the trial.
It's ironic that the trial is taking place at the same time that the Annual World Series of Poker is taking place a block away at the Horseshoe.