Mattsen cleared of firearms charges

Wednesday, March 8, 2000 | 9:14 a.m.

A key defendant in the Ted Binion murder case was cleared Tuesday of all federal firearms charges against him.

David Mattsen was charged with being an ex-felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, items found when authorities searched the ranch he managed for Binion in Pahrump.

Mattsen's attorney, James "Bucky" Buchanan, had initially sought a plea bargain in the federal firearms case and in the Binion case, but that fell through when Mattsen began acting erratically and went into hiding because he feared for his safety.

Chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger said Mattsen had "ulterior motives" in offering testimony against Rick Tabish and Sandra Murphy, who are charged with killing the casino heir in September 1998.

Mattsen is charged in state court with helping Tabish and Murphy try to steal Binion's silver fortune.

Roger said he believed Mattsen would not be a credible witness in the trial of Tabish and Murphy, which is set to start March 27.

Roger believes Mattsen could have been at Binion's home during the morning hours when police believe he died.