Witness in Binion murder case arrested on drug charges

Monday, Nov. 27, 2000 | 10:39 a.m.

Michael Kurt Gratzer allegedly was found in possession of several ounces of methamphetamine and cocaine, a quantity of Dilaudid, a pharmaceutical heroin, and $4,100 in cash, said Detective Larry Jacobs of the Missoula County sheriff's department.

Gratzer was arrested in Missoula on Wednesday. He had been out on bond on a fifth drunken driving charge.

Justice of the Peace Karen Orzech set his bail at $150,000, but Gratzer remains in the Missoula County Detention Facility.

In April, Gratzer testified that Rick Tabish, his childhood friend and former employer, had offered him money to kill casino tycoon Ted Binion.

Tabish, of Missoula, and his girlfriend, Sandra Murphy, were convicted in May of Binion's September 1998 murder.

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