Sale of Binion’s home is approved

Erica Johnson

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

The house of slain gaming figure Ted Binion could be sold within the next 10 days, despite protests from Binion's girlfriend and convicted killer, Sandy Murphy.

District Judge Michael Cherry on Monday granted the sale of the home to local investor Patrick Haddad, who paid $750,000 for the house located at 2408 Palomino Lane, near Rancho Drive and Charleston Boulevard.

The deal will close in 10 days, unless Murphy is granted an appeal by the Nevada Supreme Court, which is considering whether to overturn the murder convictions of her and co-defendant Rick Tabish.

If Murphy's appeal is denied, the deal will close immediately. Proceeds from the sale will go into the estate and eventually into a trust for Binion's daughter.

"The ruling was fair," said James Brown, attorney for the estate. "Judge Cherry bent over backwards trying to let her have her day in court. And I have no problem with that."

Cherry in September gave the estate permission to sell the home, but the Supreme Court stayed the order at the request of Murphy's lawyers.

Though Monday's hearing was open for other buyers to place bids on the home, no other bids were placed, Brown said. Had additional bids been placed, the house would have been sold to the highest bidder, he said.

Haddad's offer on the house came three weeks ago, after the sale of the home to local real estate agent Mary Bartsas fell through following an inspection, Brown said.

Bartsas had offered $900,000 for the house.

Binion, son of the late Horseshoe founder Benny Binion, was found dead in 1998 at the home, which he shared with Murphy.