Jury selected in Binion case

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 10:15 a.m.

Twelve jurors were selected Tuesday to decide if a former topless dancer and her reported lover killed gambling figure Ted Binion to get his money.

Jury selection, which began Monday, went faster than expected. Prosecutors and defense attorneys had initially estimated it to last several days to two weeks.

Six alternate jurors still need to be chosen before opening statements are given. Those jurors should be selected Wednesday.

Binion's girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, 28, and Montana contractor Rick Tabish, 35, are charged with killing Binion on Sept. 17, 1998, and stealing his valuables. Both are in jail on no bond.

Prosecutors believe Binion was pumped full of drugs, then was suffocated.

Defense attorneys contend Binion died of an overdose of heroin and the prescription drug Xanax.

Both sides have well-known forensic experts to back up their theories.

Prosecutors plan to call 110 witnesses.

Defense lawyers have not ruled out calling Murphy, Tabish and their key family members to the witness stand when they present their case.