Suspect Jailed for Shopping

Five months after a judge warned her she had “two strikes” for violating house arrest, Sandra Murphy is back in jail, and a corrections officer says that’s where the murder suspect should stay.

Murphy is charged in the death of her live-in lover, gambling figure Ted Binion. She was taken back into custody Thursday afternoon, accused of violating a house-arrest provision by going shopping for furniture after telling jail authorities that she was headed for her attorney’s office.

“I think she still doesn’t get it,” said Sgt. Barry Payne, head of the house arrest program for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Murphy’s attorney, John Momot, cried foul, saying his client had been locked up at a critical time, just 10 days before jury selection is scheduled to begin in the high-profile murder case.

Murphy and Rick Tabish are charged with the Sept. 17, 1998, death of Binion, son of legendary casino owner Benny Binion. Murphy was free on $300,000 cash bond and Tabish has been held without bail.

Murphy will remain behind bars until at least Wednesday, when a hearing is scheduled on the status of her house arrest.

It’s the second time Murphy has violated house-arrest rules.

Prosecutors contend that Tabish and Murphy killed Binion because Tabish needed money and she was about to be cut out of Binion’s will. She is seeking a piece of Binion’s multimillion-dollar estate.