Murphy’s attorneys seek bail

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

Attorneys for Sandy Murphy today filed a motion today seeking her release on bail as she awaits her retrial on charges of killing casino executive Ted Binion in 1998.

Herb Sachs, Murphy's local lawyer, said he asked District Judge Joseph Bonaventure to take up the motion at Monday's hearing to set a new trial date.

"She's not a flight risk," Sachs said. "She's been a perfect prisoner."

Sachs acknowledged that Murphy had made mistakes that led Bonaventure to revoke her house arrest privileges just prior to the first trial.

But he added: "She's a few years older now, and she has spent some time in prison, so there is absolutely no reason why the judge shouldn't give her bail."

Sachs said he is requesting a bail of under $300,000.

District Attorney David Roger, however, said today his office will oppose Murphy's release.

"A jury has found her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Roger said. "Therefore the risk of flight is greater. The same evidence will be presented to 12 more independent jurors."

The Nevada Supreme Court on July 14 overturned the murder convictions of both Murphy and her co-defendant, Rick Tabish, and ordered Bonaventure to retry the case.

Nevada prison officials are expected to turn Murphy over to the Clark County Detention Center on Monday if she isn't released on bail. She would remain there as she fights the murder charges a second time.

Tabish will remain in the state prison system, where he is serving time on extortion charges related to Binion's slaying.

Murphy and Tabish were convicted of killing Binion on May 19, 2000.