Murder in Sin City: The Death of a Las Vegas Casino Boss

Jeff German writes about the 1998 death (murder?) of casino owner Ted Binion and the ensuing murder trial. The victim was no innocent - Ted Binion was a heroin addict, and the prosecutor charged his ex-stripper girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, and *her* boyfriend, Rick Tabish, with the crime. What makes this more interesting than many books on the "true crime" shelf is that the reader is introduced to the rough and tumble world of a colorful casino mogul and his chaotic personal life. Even though Ted Binion was not the most sympathetic of victims, he did not deserve to die, and the author describes his death and the ensuing trial. The defendants argued that Binion accidentally killed himself with a drug overdose, while the prosecutor's theory of the crime was complex, circumstantial, and yet convincing - at least the way Jeff German tells the story. The two defendants were found guilty largely on the strength of forensic evidence from the autopsy. What the author does not report, because it occurred in 2004 after the book was published, is that an appeals court ordered a retrial, and in the second trial the defendants were found not guilty of murder because the jury placed little weight on the forensic evidence. It's hard to believe that justice was done.

Where other 'true crime' books fall down is the old adage about "the devil is in the details." This is definitely NOT the case with 'Murder In Sin City' which really goes the distance in bringing the reader close to the case and it's many people, twists, and turns. Ted Binion was the mega-wealthy heir and executive of the 'Binion's Horshoe' casino fortune. He was also a colorful and eccentric heroin addict with a taste for strippers and fast-lane criminal friends. These shortcomings were all contributing causes of his untimely demise at the hands of his girlfriend Sandy Murphy and her new lover Rick Tabish. The book covers many aspects of their relationship and scheming plans to murder Binion so they could share in his wealth. Most of the other fascinating details of the case were simply not covered by programs like 'Dateline', '20/20', 'Court T.V.' etc which is what makes this book so thorough and interesting. Buried treasure, wild characters, sex, murder and betrayal --- this is one story that like it's unfortunate victim had it all. Interesting developments have happened since the book's release in late 2001. Namely, Tabish and Murphy's murder convictions were overturned due to a technicality involving a separate torture case for which Tabish is still serving time. Murphy is now free and both are awaiting a retrial set for sometime in October of '04. Additionally, the 'Binion's Horseshoe' casino a Las Vegas landmark for 50+ years, was recently closed down for violations involving owed back pay. I can only hope that author Jeff German will take up the pen again when the aftermath of the new trial has settled.

Wow! I have followed the Binion case over the television and papers and have been intrigued by the entire case with all its bizarre twists and turns. I had purchased another book about the case before this one was available and it was very scattered and not as interesting to follow. This gave much more in depth information and it really gave a more thorough look at how sick and twisted of a story the Binion murder was. This book almost seemed more like fiction and therefore it is only more interesting that it was true! Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish have many years to be haunted by their actions!

This is a must read with all of the elements of a great story--money, drugs, sex and greed. This story, though, is true. As a Las Vegan I watched the Binion murder saga unfold in the print and electronic media, but nobody had the insider scoop like German. Murder in Sin City continues this by revealing previously non public information in a "can't put it down" spellbinder.

Everyone in my club and website has said "this book is absolutely awsome!" After the first page your hooked and will not be able to put it down! Judetrialwatchers.com