Authorities investigate freshly dug holes at Binion’s ranch

Thursday, Sept. 23, 1999 | 9:52 a.m.

The holes, in front of Binion's home, are believed to have been dug by intruders looking for buried treasure at the 125-acre ranch, where the murdered gambling figure is thought to have hidden valuables.

"We don't know if they got anything," James J. Brown, an attorney for Binion's $50 million estate, told the Las Vegas Sun. "They just came out and dug holes."

Friends said it would be "exactly like" the colorful 55-year-old Binion to bury something of value in front of his house so that he could keep an eye on it.

The holes, about three feet long and two feet wide, were discovered three weeks ago by Binion ranch manager Ed Raap as the preliminary hearing for Binion's accused killers was winding down in Las Vegas.

Last week, Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti ordered Binion's 27-year-old girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, and her reported lover, Missoula, Mont., contractor Rick Tabish, to stand trial for Binion's Sept. 17, 1998, slaying. The two also are facing charges related to the theft of the former Horseshoe Club executive's silver fortune two days later from an underground vault in downtown Pahrump.

Prosecutors announced Tuesday that they will not seek the death penalty against Murphy and Tabish. Prosecutors may find a jury more willing to convict the two defendants in the circumstantial case without the death penalty hanging over the men's heads, legal experts said.

At the Binion estate's request, Raap, who lives at the ranch, filed a trespassing report with the Nye County Sheriff's Department, prompting the investigation.

Nye County Undersheriff Bill Weldon confirmed Tuesday that a probe was under way, but he declined to elaborate.

Prosecutors overseeing the murder case in Las Vegas have been informed of the investigation.

Private detective Tom Dillard, who is working for Binion's estate, said Tuesday he also was conducting an inquiry.

"It certainly is a coincidence that can't be ignored, and we're going to look into it," said Dillard, who has been working closely with Metro homicide detectives investigating Binion's murder.