Murphy, Tabish sentenced to more than 20 years

Greg Tuttle

Friday, Sept. 15, 2000 | 2:45 a.m.

Convicted killers Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were sentenced Friday to more than 20 years for the death two years ago of wealthy gambling figure Ted Binion.

After hearing both Tabish, a Montana contractor, and Murphy, a one-time toppless dancer, denounce their murder convictions, Clark County District Court Judge Joseph Bonaventure said the two never took responsibility and deserved harsh punishment.

"Your lack of remorse and your ramblings as to the guilt of others is clearly an indication that you have not yet acquired the ability to take responsibility for your own actions," Bonaventure told Tabish before sentencing him to life in prison with parole after a minimum of 20 years.

Tabish, 35, was also sentenced to another five years on several other charges related to the Sept. 17, 1998 death of Binion and the theft of at least $5 million in silver dug up from an underground vault in Pahrump.

Murphy, 28, was sentenced to also sentenced to life in prison with parole after a minimum of 20 years on the murder conviction. She was given an additional four years on theft and burglary charges.

Both Tabish and Murphy will have to persuade a parole board they should be released at the end of their minimum prison terms.

Binion's nephew, Bobby Fechser, said he was satisfied with the sentences.

"I have to be satisfied with it," he said. "They are going to be in (prison) a long time."

The former lovers were convicted of first-degree murder by a jury on May 19 following a joint trial. The same jury then recommended the two be sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 20 years. Jurors could have recommended a sentence of life without parole.

Both Tabish and Murphy told Bonaventure at the hearing Friday they were wrongly convicted. The convictions will be appealed, lawyers for both said.

"I pray to God I get a new trial and I get to talk," said Tabish, who did not testify at the trial.

"I don't want to ask the court for anything because I didn't do anything wrong and I shouldn't even be here," a tearful Murphy told the judge before she was sentenced.

Prosecutors said Binion, owner of Binion's Horseshoe casino, was drugged and then sufficated inside his Las Vegas home. Defense attorneys argued Binion died of a heroin overdose.