Tabish called 'brains'

Homicide detectives consider Montana contractor Rick Tabish the brains behind a plot to murder and rob Ted Binion of his assets, a sworn police affidavit alleges.

The 109-page affidavit, signed by Homicide detective James Buczek, cites witnesses who told police the 34-year-old Tabish used his close relationship with Binion's girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, to gain access to Binion and his millions.

"The evidence certainly suggests that Tabish was the driving force to secure Ted's fortune," said private detective Tom Dillard, whom police have credited with helping break open the case.

"Tabish tried to sweet talk Ted out of his money, swindle him out of his money and neither method worked. And now Ted is dead."

Binion's body was discovered at his home Sept. 17. His body contained lethal levels of heroin and the prescription sedative Xanax.

The affidavit, made public last week after police arrested Tabish and the 27-year-old Murphy on murder and robbery charges, alleges that Tabish told friends and associates prior to Binion's slaying that he intended to murder the former gaming executive and steal his fortune.

Leo Casey, a business partner Tabish later allegedly tortured into turning over interests in a Jean sand pit, told homicide detectives that Tabish talked about stealing Binion's buried silver in Pahrump and rare coin collection in Las Vegas as early as April and May of 1998.

Tabish was arrested with two other men on Sept. 19 after they had dug up $4 million in silver bars and coins from Binion's underground vault in Pahrump. Tabish had built the vault for Binion and persuaded him to get the silver appraised prior to his death.

Both Tabish and Murphy were charged last week with stealing the silver and valuables from Binion's home, including the $300,000 coin collection, after his murder.

Casey, meanwhile, reported to police that Tabish had told him he planned to murder Binion by giving him an "overdose" of drugs.

Tabish, the affidavit said, also had bragged to Casey that he was "laying the pipe" to Murphy.

"Rick Tabish explained that Tabish's relationship with Sandy Murphy would make it easier for Tabish to steal Ted Binion's silver," the affidavit said.

In late August or early September, according to the affidavit, Tabish approached Kurt Gratzer, a childhood friend and employee in Montana, about killing Binion. They discussed several ways of killing Binion, including staging a drug overdose.

Tabish, Buczek said, also talked about his relationship with Murphy.

Gratzer, who received immunity from prosecution for his testimony, told Buczek "Tabish claimed that Sandy was '... one of the pigs Tabish f...' " and " 'that she is in his back pocket, and she'll do whatever he wants her to do.' "

Tabish promised Gratzer he would buy him a 1999 Pontiac Trans Am and give him part of an $875,000 Binion life insurance premium he thought was made out to Murphy in return for his help.

"Tabish was going to profit from Ted's death, as well," the affidavit said. "Tabish told Gratzer that Tabish was going to get all of the money, silver and valuables that Ted stored in his Las Vegas home."

In the end, Tabish told Gratzer, he expected to "get all of the assets from Sandy, as well."

Tabish, the affidavit said, later arranged a Dec. 16 meeting with Binion's sister, Horseshoe Club President Becky Behnen.

At that meeting, secretly monitored by FBI agents, Tabish denied killing Binion and having an affair with Murphy. But he also acknowledged staying with Murphy at the posh Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills the weekend before Binion's death.

"Also, Tabish stated to the Behnens that 'Sandy would never roll over on me,' " the affidavit said.

Tabish and Murphy, who are in jail on no bond, are expected to make another court appearance on Wednesday before Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti.

They are seeking to be released on their own recognizance, but Chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger, who is overseeing their prosecution, plans to fight to keep them behind bars.

Roger said in court this week that he is reserving his right to seek the death penalty if both are convicted of murdering Binion.

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