Sunday, December 05, 2004
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WEEK IN REVIEW: Murphy makes media rounds after acquittal

CNN host Larry King, left, poses a question to Sandy Murphy as her attorney, Michael Cristalli, looks on. Murphy appeared on three national television programs last week to discuss her acquittal on a murder charge in the death of her ex-boyfriend, Ted Binion. Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, left, questions Sandy Murphy and her attorney, Michael Cristalli. PHOTO COURTESY KVVU-FOX 5

Sandy Murphy and her attorney, Michael Cristalli, made the rounds on national news shows last week. On Nov. 23, Murphy and Rick Tabish were acquitted of murder in the death of former casino executive Ted Binion but were found guilty of stealing his $7 million silver fortune. They will be sentenced Jan. 28.

c Tuesday

Good Morning America

ROBIN ROBERTS: You were in jail for four years the first time that you were convicted. Many people felt that under the circumstances that you, I'm sure you were offered a plea bargain and all along you always refused. It was very apparent that you were convinced of your innocence.

SANDY MURPHY: Well, there's some things in life that are for sale and your integrity is not one of them. And a deal wasn't a part of that.

c Tuesday

Fox News: On the Record with Greta Van Susteren

VAN SUSTEREN: Sandy, what was Ted Binion like, I mean, you know, the decedent?

MURPHY: Teddy was a very intelligent man and he was charming and witty. He was very gregarious and extremely outgoing. He was a lot of fun to be with and he was very exciting.

VAN SUSTEREN: So why did the police think you killed him?

MURPHY: Well, I don't know that the police initially thought that I killed Teddy. I think that the Binion estate wanted to ultimately disinherit me and the only way to do that was to create or orchestrate an investigation surrounding around -- surrounding myself and as a result of my relationship with Rick Tabish he was sort of dragged into the mix.

VAN SUSTEREN: All right. Tell the viewers, you know, what's your relationship with Rick Tabish or what was it then?

MURPHY: Well, he was a friend of Teddy's and then he ultimately became a friend of mine and I had a few indiscretions with him in the summer of 1998 and now, you know, I wish him well but we don't have any sort of relationship one way or another.

VAN SUSTEREN: Sandy, what was prison like for you?

MURPHY: Prison is horrible. It's like living in the middle of a government housing project in the ghetto with generally people that are uneducated and lack a lot of discipline. Anger is a common way of life in prison.

c Wednesday

CNN: Larry King Live

KING: And then you became a lover of Rick?

MURPHY: No.

KING: What happened?

MURPHY: He was Ted's friend and confidant. And then he became my friend. And we developed a relationship. And at that time, Ted was abusing drugs. And I became dependent on my friendship with Rick. And through that process, I had some issues with some indiscretions.

KING: Where were you when Ted was killed?

MURPHY: I don't believe that Teddy was killed.

KING: What do you believe?

MURPHY: Well I believe that he was a heroin addict and that he abused drugs and died as a result of it.

KING: How did they ever show murder, Michael?

CRISTALLI: Well, they didn't show murder this time around, obviously.

CALLER: Sandy I've been wanting to ask. I was at the trial constantly from beginning to end. Mr. Tabish seems to put you on a pedestal on every forum he gets, whether it be local or national. And I have never heard you reciprocate other than saying, I wish him well. Now could you tell me why that you can't do the same for him?

MURPHY: I haven't had a relationship or a friendship with Mr. Tabish for many years. It's been six years since Teddy's death. And I moved on with my life.

KING: Is he in love with you?

MURPHY: I don't believe so. No.

KING: He certainly admires you?

MURPHY: Maybe he's just better at articulating how he feels.

IN OTHER NEWS

MONDAY

Princess's marriage to Marine to end

The celebrated love affair between a princess and a Marine has come to an end. Jason Johnson and Meriam Al-Khalifa, a member of the royal family in Bahrain, have filed for divorce after five years of marriage.

TUESDAY

Mack won't seek re-election in '05

Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack will not seek re-election next year. Mack, who wants to spend more time with his children, faced the prospect of an ugly race in which opponents likely would point to his difficulties before the state Ethics Commission and the personal financial problems that led to his filing for bankruptcy while in office.

WEDNESDAY

New Year's Eve rates up on Strip

The average cost of a Las Vegas hotel room for the three-day New Year's holiday is up 25 percent from last year. As a result, only the Rio and Las Vegas Hilton have booked all their rooms. Other resorts are hardly panicking. "If you can't sell out New Year's Eve, then you might as well close up shop," Caesars Palace President Mark Juliano said.

THURSDAY

Dam bypass sparks development plans

With the Hoover Dam bypass set to open in 2008, Las Vegas developers are planning residential communities in Arizona. Developer Leonard Mardian, who purchased 35,000 acres about 26 miles south of the dam, said homes will fetch much less than comparable models in the Las Vegas Valley. The commute would be about 45 minutes when the bypass opens.

FRIDAY

Aladdin workers authorize union

The ownership of the Aladdin agreed to allow more than half of its work force to be represented by Culinary Local 226 after a significant portion of the Strip resort's employees signed union authorization cards. A contract will be negotiated after the first of the year. The announcement ended an ongoing battle between the Aladdin and the union that began under the resort's previous ownership when the $1.4 billion property re-opened in 2000.

COMPILED BY PETER O'CONNELL

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