Dershowitz files to represent Murphy in appeal

Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001 | 11:21 a.m.

Harvard University law professor Alan Dershowitz filed an application Wednesday with the Nevada State Bar to represent Sandy Murphy in the appeal of her murder conviction.

The application is considered the first step in the celebrity lawyer's bid to argue Murphy's appeal in front of the Nevada Supreme Court.

"He's one of the most respected lawyers in the country," Murphy's Las Vegas lawyer, Herb Sachs, said this morning. "We know the Supreme Court will take notice of him, rather than be swayed by any political pressures."

Sachs said Dershowitz has been involved in the appeal process from the very beginning.

"We've had numerous discussions," he said.

Also applying to the Nevada bar on Murphy's behalf was Victoria Eiger, a partner in the New York law firm of Dershowitz's brother, Nathan.

Both Eiger and Dershowitz, who specializes in handling nationally known appeal cases, were listed as "of counsel" on briefs that Sachs filed with the high court in July.

Murphy and her co-defendant, Rick Tabish, are asking the Supreme Court to overturn their high-profile murder convictions in the Sept. 17, 1998, death of wealthy former casino executive Ted Binion.

Prosecutors recently sought 10 more weeks of time to file their response to the defense briefs. They want the Sept. 13 deadline extended to Nov. 2.

As a result of that request, Sachs said he plans to ask the Supreme Court to free Murphy from prison on a bail while the appeal is being considered. She's serving a minimum of 22 years behind bars.

"Her appeal is a meritorious one and should be granted," Sachs said. "There's no need for her to sit in prison for an extra two months while the district attorney's office is drawing up its opposition."

After the State Bar approves the applications of Dershowitz and Eiger, Sachs must file a motion with the Supreme Court formally asking for permission to let them practice law in the Binion case.

Dershowitz, who repeatedly has declined comment on his involvement in the case, reportedly has been given a six-figure retainer by Murphy's benefactor, William Fuller, who is bank-rolling her defense.