Murphy battles for control of videotape
Wednesday, March 31, 1999 | 11:13 a.m.
A videotape showing the inside of Ted Binion's home the day after his Sept. 17 murder has become the subject of another dispute between his girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, and his estate.
Murphy's lawyer, David Chesnoff, was in District Court today fighting to not turn over the tape, which is in his possession.
Chesnoff and other Murphy lawyers had asked District Judge Michael Cherry to block Binion's $30 million estate from forcing Murphy to give up the tape. They contended in court documents that it's part of their work product and, if turned over, it could violate Murphy's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
The estate has been working closely with homicide detectives investigating Binion's death. Murphy, reported to be a target of the probe, took the Fifth Amendment more than 200 times during a court hearing in the estate case earlier this year when asked about valuables missing from Binion's home.
Cherry today said he wanted to view the tape before deciding whether to give the estate a copy. He set another hearing for next Tuesday.
The tape was made by Murphy's civil lawyer, William Knudson, on the afternoon of Sept. 18 to leave a record of the contents inside the gaming executive's $900,000 home.
It was made, sources said, after Binion's safe was cleaned out of valuables, including a $300,000 collection of rare currency.
Murphy, who was living with Binion at the time of his death, stands to receive the home, its contents and $300,000 in cash. But her inheritance is threatened by the homicide investigation and her reluctance to help the estate gather the missing assets for an accounting to Cherry.
Attorney James J. Brown, who represents Binion's brother, Jack Binion, the executor of the estate, was present during the videotaping. So was Murphy's mother and two friends, Linda Carroll and Tanya Crop.
Homicide detectives and the FBI's Criminal Apprehension Team are looking to arrest Carroll, who lives in Orange County, on a material witness warrant and bring her to Las Vegas to testify before a county grand jury. Carroll spent the night with Murphy at a neighbor's home after Binion's body was discovered on the floor of his home Sept. 17.
Cropp, who was hired as Binion's new bookkeeper before his death, already has been hauled before the grand jury.
Attorneys for Binion's estate have subpoenaed the tape as part of their efforts to determine Binion's assets.
Brown submitted an affidavit to Cherry contending Knudson had previously agreed to give him a copy of the tape.
But Knudson said in his own affidavit that he no longer has the tape. He said he turned it over to Chesnoff.
In court papers, Chesnoff acknowledged that Brown was promised a copy.
"However," Chesnoff added, "the circumstances have changed as a result of the (homicide) investigation and the hostile position taken by the estate's lawyers."
Chesnoff argued that "those seeking the tape have pulled no punches in suggesting (Murphy) is a criminal."
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- CityCenter unveils Crystals high-end retail district
- Sarah Palin wasn’t a disaster, but Obama is
- Fontainebleau lenders sue construction companies over liens
- CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental makes Vegas debut
- Limo drivers’ suit over wages gets class action status
- Kruger may soon seek more disciplined shot selection
- AG says any Station Casinos trustee must be licensed by regulators
- Kimbo Slice not enjoying cutting weight for first time
- As national jobless rate improves, LV sees signs of trouble
- Jim Gibbons vs. Harry Reid: Health care plan ignites dispute
Blogs
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Superintendents want state to immediately seek Race to Top funds
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The great Jennifer debate (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
From Eva Longoria Parker to a cluster of execs, crowd takes a shine to Crystals (2 Comments)
Elsewhere
Harry Reid's recipe for getting health-care deal done (9 Comments)
UNLV in at No. 11 in SI's college hoops power rankings (3 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 13: A few good chefs
Gray Matter
Fight weekend in Las Vegas and Thanksgiving (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 5 Sat
- 6 Sun
- 7 Mon
- 8 Tue
- 9 Wed
-
The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale at the Pearl
The Pearl at the Palms | 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Willie Nelson at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Cash'd Out at Aliante Station
Aliante Station Casino and Hotel | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Brooks & Dunn at the Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
-
Ron White performs at the Mirage
Terry Fator Theatre
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati











