Celebrity Lawyer Joins Binion Case Defense

Celebrity defense attorney Alan Dershowitz has joined the team of lawyers appealing the conviction of Sandy Murphy in the murder of casino heir Ted Binion.

Attorneys for Murphy and Rick Tabish, who was also convicted by a Nevada jury in May, filed a joint notice of appeal Thursday. The Nevada Supreme Court will decide whether the lovers are entitled to a new trial.

Murphy’s attorneys John Momot and Tom Pitaro said Harvard law professor Dershowitz has agreed to join the Murphy legal team. Dershowitz, who has written several books on defense tactics, has a reputation for taking tough cases on appeal. His clients have included O.J. Simpson, Mike Tyson, Leona Helmsley and Claus von Bulow.

Murphy and Tabish were convicted in May of murder and other charges arising from the September 1998 death of the former casino executive.

Tabish will be eligible for parole in 25 years, and Murphy must serve at least 22 years.

Key issues expected to be raised on appeal include allegations of juror misconduct and District Judge Joseph Bonaventure’s decision that the two defendants were not entitled to separate trials.

The defense will also argue that jurors should not have been permitted to rely upon different legal theories in finding the couple guilty of murder.

Attorney Bill Terry continues to represent Tabish. Pitaro said attorneys for Murphy and Tabish will cooperate on joint appellate issues.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Friday that William Fuller, the millionaire who financed Murphy’s attorneys in the murder trial, is also picking up the tab for the former exotic dancer’s appeal.