Murphy’s attorney withdraws from second Binion trial

By Matt Pordum (contact)

Monday, June 7, 2004 | 9:20 a.m.

The lead attorney representing Sandy Murphy in her upcoming trial in the murder of Ted Binion, has withdrawn from the case saying "non-lawyers" were trying to take over Murphy's case.

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure granted Dick DeGuerin's motion to withdraw as counsel for Murphy, on the condition that his departure wouldn't delay the "sacred" trial date scheduled for Oct. 11.

Attorney Michael Cristalli will now serve as the counsel of record for Murphy. Cristalli told Bonaventure that while he may bring another attorney on the case to assist him, the defense would be ready to start the trial as scheduled.

DeGuerin would not say who the "non-lawyers" trying to run the case were, but did say he could no longer serve Murphy's best interests if he stayed on as her attorney.

"I will not have my professional judgment second guessed by non-lawyers," DeGuerin said. "I won't do something that is not in the best interest of the client. I find it untenable to continue."

DeGuerin said he would cooperate in getting Cristalli everything he will need to defend Murphy. He said his decision to leave had nothing to do with any problems he had with Cristalli or Murphy.

"Not a dispute between me and Ms. Murphy," DeGuerin said. "She's innocent and I feel a fair jury will agree. Not a dispute with Cristalli, he's a fine, young lawyer. This is about outside people trying to run this case."

Additionally, Bonaventure granted attorney Anthony Sgro's request to withdraw from representing Murphy for "personal reasons."

Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish are accused of the September 1998 murder of Binion, the former part owner of Binion's Horseshoe who was found dead in the Las Vegas home he shared with Murphy.

Tabish and Murphy were convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison, but the Nevada Supreme Court overturned their convictions, resulting in the new trial for both Murphy and Tabish this October.

The Clark County district attorney's office has maintained that Tabish and Murphy, who had an affair, killed Binion as part of a conspiracy to steal his silver and assets, while lawyers for Tabish and Murphy have argued that Binion died of a drug overdose.

Tabish is currently in prison serving an 18- to 120-month sentence for assaulting Jean sand pit operator Leo Casey two months before the death of Ted Binion.