Dillard hearing reset

Kim Smith

Wednesday, May 31, 2000 | 11:07 a.m.

Tuesday's hearing about whether to grant an order of protection for one of the lead investigators in the Ted Binion murder case turned out to be short-lived.

The man accused of threatening Tom Dillard's life, William Cassidy, didn't show up.

Cassidy's attorney, Stephen Stein, told Justice of the Peace Doug Smith that he told Cassidy and his other witnesses they weren't needed because he believed the order of protection issue was moot because the Binion trial is over.

Smith said he thought the issue was moot too, but rescheduled the hearing after hearing from Dillard's attorney, E. Brent Bryson.

Dillard is a former Metro Police detective who was hired by Ted Binion's estate to investigate Binion's death. Much of what the investigator found was used by prosecutors to obtain a first-degree murder conviction against Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish.

Two weeks into Murphy and Tabish's trial, Dillard filed a police report claiming that Cassidy, through an intermediary, threatened his life. He also obtained a temporary protective order preventing Cassidy from coming near him.

Cassidy, a California private investigator who works as an assistant to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, was a defense consultant throughout the trial. He has denied making any threats.

Tuesday's hearing was scheduled before the end of the trial, and Smith told Bryson he thought it was no longer needed.

Bryson, however, said that the Binion trial and the threats should be considered separately. But, if they are not, perhaps the threats should be taken more seriously because Cassidy's side lost, Bryson said.

Dillard wants to go forward because he is still very much concerned about his safety and that of his family, Bryson said.

Cassidy has bragged about killing people and witnesses will testify he said "Let's go get the ----. He made a lot of money. Let's go take him out," Bryson said.

Stein told Smith that before Tuesday's hearing he and Cassidy had been willing to agree to extend the existing order 90-days.

"But after all of the histrionics, I want a hearing," Stein said. "I want to show you the character of my client."

Smith reminded Bryson that the matter is a civil one and even after the hearing, the only thing he'll be able to do is extend the protective order or not. Bryson then suggested the judge grant a one-year protective order.

Smith declined and rescheduled the hearing for Aug. 22.