News

Two lawyers take over Murphy case

December 20, 2007 - 10:00 pm

Sandy Murphy has found two new lawyers to take over her motion for a new trial.

Prominent Las Vegas attorney Thomas Pitaro, the third lawyer to work on the motion, abruptly withdrew from the criminal case in early December and would not comment publicly on his decision.

Pitaro returned to court Wednesday to tell District Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez that San Francisco attorney Joseph O'Sullivan and Reno attorney James Boles will handle the matter for Murphy.

Murphy, convicted and later acquitted of murdering former Las Vegas casino executive Ted Binion, is trying to overturn felony convictions in the theft of Binion's $7 million silver stash. She already has completed a prison term for her role in the theft.

The next court hearing in the case is Jan. 23.

Surveillance image on Oct. 7, 2025, showing Ashlee Buzzard and Melodee Buzzard at a car rental ...

Courtroom gasps as Ashlee Buzzard pleads not guilty to murder of 9-year-old Melodee

By Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times

December 28, 2025 - 10:38 am

Ashlee Buzzard, the California mother accused of killing her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee Buzzard, pleaded not guilty Friday morning during a brief but emotional arraignment in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.

Cars drive through a flooded Vineland Avenue in Los Angeles' North Hollywood neighborhood ...

Yes, that was a tornado in Los Angeles on Christmas

By Rong-Gong Lin II and Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times

December 28, 2025 - 8:01 am

A tornado did, in fact, spin through Los Angeles on Christmas, the National Weather Service confirmed, damaging a home and a commercial strip mall.

Tax breaks sought by backers of a proposed Summerlin Studios joint venture among Sony Pictures ...

McKenna Ross’ top Nevada politics stories of 2025

By McKenna Ross / RJ

December 28, 2025 - 8:00 am

A failed studio tax break push, party politics and budget challenges led Nevada political stories this year.

French actress Brigitte Bardot poses with a huge sombrero she brought back from Mexico, as she ...

Brigitte Bardot, 1960s French sex symbol turned militant animal rights activist, dies at 91

By Thomas Adamson and Elaine Ganley Associated Press

December 28, 2025 - 7:05 am

Brigitte Bardot, the French 1960s sex symbol who became one of the greatest screen sirens of the 20th century and later a militant animal rights activist and far-right supporter, has died. She was 91.

Clark County's award of a $10 million construction management contract for the 215 Beltway/Summ ...

RJ writer Mary Hynes’ 5 top stories of 2025

By Mary Hynes / RJ

December 28, 2025 - 7:00 am

A scandal, a meltdown, a million-dollar benefit. These were among the top stories covered by investigative reporter Mary Hynes this year.

Jeffrey R. Holland, member of the quorum of the twelve apostles, speaks during a news conferenc ...

Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead LDS church, dies at 85

By Hannah Schoenbaum The Associated Press

December 28, 2025 - 8:38 am

Jeffrey R. Holland, a high-ranking official in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was next in line to become the faith’s president, has died.

Rescuers carry the body of a victim after Russian drone hit a multi-storey apartment building d ...

Russia hits Kyiv with missiles and drones the day before Zelenskyy and Trump meet

By Samya Kullab and Vasilisa Stepanenko The Associated Press

December 27, 2025 - 10:42 am

Explosions boomed across Kyiv as the attack began in early morning and continued for hours, killing at least one person and wounding 27.

Allie Mead, left, represented by her attorney Robert Eglet, in a General Motors (GM) faulty sea ...

Lawyers for woman hurt in crash appeal Las Vegas jury verdict

By Akiya Dillon / RJ

December 27, 2025 - 8:00 am

Court records indicated that Mead’s attorneys, Robert Eglet, Erica Etsminger, and Joel Henriod, are contesting the verdict, alleging misconduct by General Motors.