Las Vegas NowMurphy and Tabish Face-To-Face Again

Murphy and Tabish Face-To-Face Again

(Dec. 15) --  The first Binion murder trial 3 years ago captured the attention of the Valley and the country. This new trial is expected to do the same. It all began nearly six years ago at the former Ted Binion home. The question has always been -- did the casino mogul die of an overdose of heroin or was he killed by Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish?

Judge Joseph Bonaventure, "Six counts, is that correct? Do you understand those charges Mr. Tabish?" Rick Tabish, murder suspect replied, "Yes, I do." Judge Bonaventure, "What is your plea to those charges?" Rick Tabish, "Innocent your honor." It felt like deja vu.

Judge Joseph Bonaventure, "Do you understand those charges?" Sandy Murphy, murder suspect, "I do." Judge Bonaventure, "What is your plea?" "I am not guilty."

Only this time Sandy Murphy is thinner has longer hair and is wearing glasses. Her former lover, Rick Tabish has clearly been spending time working out at the High Desert prison facility. The two murder suspects sat at the same defense table with their 7 new attorneys and legal assistants, but this time they did not speak to each other.

Tabish and Murphy allowed their attorneys to argue several new motions, which includes wanting to know how much money expert witnesses were paid by the Binion family for the prosecutors in the last case.

There are two new prosecutors on the Binion case this time around. The former lead prosecutor, David Roger is now the District Attorney. And the other prosecutor, David Wall is a district court judge. The two new prosecutors are Robert Daskas and Christopher Lalli. They would not comment on the case.

(Dec. 12) --  The Ted Binion murder case, described by some as the trial of the century, is about to start up all over again. Suspects Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were awarded a new trial earlier this year. On Monday, they'll both be back in court for a pre-trial hearing.

It will be the first time the two have seen each other since their convictions three years ago. The Nevada Supreme Court threw those convictions out. So now they're preparing for a new trial. Attorney's for Sandra Murphy are filing papers to have her released on bail in the meantime.

Here's a look at what we can expect the second time around. Rick Tabish, Binion murder suspect, says, "I didn't do it." In his first prison interview after being convicted of murder, Tabish wasn't shy about proclaiming his innocence, something he never did during his trial. Both Tabish and co-defendant Sandy Murphy have had plenty of time to think about strategy -- they've been behind bars for four years now. Tabish has said several times he would take the stand if given a second chance and soon, he'll have one. He'll be defended by flamboyant, nationally renowned San Francisco defense lawyer Tony Serra.

Monday's hearing will also give the world its first look at Sandy Murphy since her last court appearance. An off-camera I-Team interview with Murphy in November found her appearance to be far different from the flashy image portrayed during the first trial. Both she had Tabish will be in the courtroom Monday.

Murphy has assembled an impressive defense team, consisting of Harvard Law's Alan Dershowiitz and Las Vegas defender Herb Sachs -- the two who won her a second trial -- and a new addition, Dick Deguerin, a famed Houston attorney who once handled David Koresh during the infamous Waco standoff. It's believed that Murphy's team will request on Monday that she be released on bail immediately, arguing that she is not a flight risk, a move that will be vigorously opposed by prosecutors.

D.A. David Roger has selected two veteran prosecutors -- Chris Lalli and Robert Daskas -- to take over this time, but Roger will maintain a keen interest and supervisory role. The D.A. has hinted he may have surprises in store for the defense.

One major question centers on the judge, Joe Bonaventure, whose rulings in the first trial led to a Supreme Court reversal. Although the defense has complained in the past that Bonaventure is biased against the defendants, the I-Team has learned they may not request a different judge after all. That would mean that all of the original cast of characters -- along with a few new ones -- would be back for what could be the trial of a new century.

The main reason for Monday's hearing is to set a target date for the re-trial, but several related motions could also be raised.