48 Hours: Buried Secrets of Las Vegas

(CBS)  It's been more than a decade since gambling tycoon Ted Binion was found dead in his Las Vegas home, but the questions still remain: how did he die, and where is all his money? "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Peter Van Sant reports.

Sandy Murphy's wedding day has all the trappings of Orange County, Calif., privilege. But her route to a walk down the aisle has been as twisted as anyone could imagine.

When asked how she would describe herself to people she has never met, Sandy replied, "I would just say, 'Hi, my name's Sandy. And I'm in Laguna and I'm an art dealer. Come see me.'"

When asked how she would describe the life that she's led, she told "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Peter Van Sant, "Umm, well, it wasn't an easy one that's for sure."

Sandy grew up in southern California, the adored only daughter of a hard-working family. She says she was always a natural competitor.

"I went to high school and I played, I think, three sports my freshman year," she said.

Sandy worked for a local car dealer, all the while looking for the bet of a lifetime. Her sense of adventure brought Sandy to Las Vegas.

"I was 21 and I had never been on a vacation away from my parents," she said.

Glenn Puit, a former Las Vegas newspaper man turned true-crime author, would come to know all about Sandy's soon-to-be legendary Las Vegas jaunt.

"She's got a great personality. She's as sweet as can be," Puit told Van Sant. "When you sit and talk with her, her eyes will melt you."

Those eyes first lit up the Las Vegas Strip when Sandy and a girlfriend hit town in 1995, with a wad of cash and visions of a good time.

"For the trip I just brought, like, whatever my budget was. I think it was like $15,000 at the time… Well, we went to gamble. And we lost it all like in the first hour," she told Van Sant of their time at the blackjack table.

Sandy was busted and desperate for cash to last for the rest of the trip. That's when the girlfriend she was traveling with suggested they try selling some of the custom lingerie she made. Together they headed over to one of Sin City's most famous strip clubs.

"We just went in and asked the bouncer if we could sell all of our lingerie. And if it was OK if I put it on and modeled it," Sandy explained. "I was wearing a Dallas Cowboy outfit… And that's how I met Ted."

Ted. His first name was all Sandy knew about the memorable man she met that night at Cheetah's; a man who couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"And then he became more flirtatious throughout the night. And, you know, Ted's the kind of guy that's like larger than life and when he's in the room you just want to be close to him," she said.

Sandy was attracted to the "very sexy" man with the big personality.

But Ted wasn't just a sexy guy with a big personality. He was Ted Binion. His family business was the legendary Horseshoe - one of the most famous casinos in the world. Ted was Vegas royalty - the son of Benny Binion, one of the town's original icons.

No one has more Vegas in his DNA than Wayne Newton, the singer, actor and icon known as "Mr. Las Vegas" who grew up with everyone from Sinatra to Elvis. But long before Newton sang "Danke Schoen," Benny Binion was already a notorious outlaw and Las Vegas pioneer.

"Benny Binion's place was right across the street from where I spent five years at the Fremont Hotel," Newton explained. "And Benny Binion was a legend then."

Benny Binion was legendary enough to make it onto CBS News in 1981.

"I never did own no stock. I don't own nothing I don't control," he said with a smile.

Peter Van Sant tours the legendary casino
Photos: Binion's Horseshoe

It all began in Texas where Benny controlled the largest illegal gambling operation in Dallas. He had a serious reputation even then. Nicknamed "Cowboy," Benny admitted killing two men himself.

"I hear about that organized crime, but I don't really know a damn thing about it," he said in the 1981 interview.

In 1946, the Dallas district attorney vowed to shut him down. Benny stuffed a suitcase with $2 million and headed for what was then a sleepy desert town: Las Vegas.

"The founding fathers of Las Vegas - Benny Binion certainly headed up that group," said Newton.

Vegas was a paradise of legal gambling and Benny became king.

"It wasn't a matter that you didn't cross Benny Binion," Newton explained with a laugh. "It was a matter that it never crossed your mind to cross Benny Binion."

Benny had built a goldmine with Binion's Horseshoe. He also invented the now-famous World Series of Poker. His casino's trademark: $2 steaks, free booze and no-limit betting.

For Becky Binion Behnen, her brothers, Ted and Jack, and her sisters, Barbara and Brenda, it was a life of splendor, action and outlaws. That was the extraordinary bit of Americana - the one-of-a kind story - that Ted Binion was part of.

But on that fateful night at Cheetah's, as Sandy Murphy danced for Benny Binion's millionaire son, she had no idea she'd just hit the jackpot.

"I was from Califiornia, completely clueless," said Sandy, who claimed she knew nothing about the legacy of Benny Binion's son, Ted - the mysterious man she was dancing for.

Following Sandy's dance for Ted at Cheetah's, she said, "He was very persistent and extremely, like, relentless. We just started dating every single day."

The girl who'd come to Vegas for a week, was soon living at Ted's beautiful home with its huge, rambling backyard located just minutes off the Strip. "He just said he liked me because I was different."

But for Sandy, at least, it wasn't quite love at first sight.

"Oh no, it was lust at first sight," she said with a laugh.

"And when did it turn into love for you?"

"Probably about six months into the relationship."

"What was it about Ted that you loved?"

"I just loved his carefree spirit. And he was a very nice person."

But from the get-go, Becky wasn't taking the bet that it was Ted's spirit that Sandy really loved.

"I mean he was 50-something years old. She was a 23-year-old girl," Becky said. "What would she see in a 50-something-year-old man except his bankroll?"

But there was something else Sandy would soon discover about Ted; something even more powerful than his multimillion-dollar bankroll.

According to Puit, "Teddy was a hardcore heroin addict."

"He would just get high everyday, all day long," said Sandy.

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[blondenblueeyed]

I used to work as a keno runner for Binions Horseshoe Club. Teddy was one of the nicest bosses I ever had BUT....he did have a huge drug and girlie problem. Becky and Barbara were arrogant brats. Barbara drank and cursed like a sailor and treated the employees like dogs. Didn't much care for Jack either. He spent most of his time either in the counting room or playing hearts in their poker room that was quite small at the time. Benny was a typical Texan always hanging around with his big white Stetson sitting at a table in the back of the poker room most nights with his friend Johnny Moss. Benny and Johnny were always playing jokes on me and hollering 'keno' every time I walked by. Johnny was World Champion Poker player at one time. I think he was from Odessa, TX. My husband I saw Johnny several years later and he told me his dear wife had died of Alzheimers. He died not to long afterwards. Benny loved to talk about his good Montana quarter horses and his ranch all the time. I believe he owned a thoroughbred stallion named Jaguar that he bred to his quarter mares. He produced alot of good rope and pickup horses for the rodeo cowboys. Benny told me they run him out of Texas because he won too much money from the locals and their wives were tired of their husbands losing the rent money. Benny had a BIG black guy who was his bodyguard at his Las Vegas house. I can't remember his name now but the word was out, you didn't mess with Benny or any member of his family or you'd be bleachin bones in the west desert. Like I said, Teddy was always very respectful and very nice to me and my husband. Benny was fun to be around and listen to his tall Texas tales. I appreciated my job at Binions.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if this Sandy Murphy and her pal wacked Teddy for his money. Sad but true. She may get away with it in the life but not in the life to come. Just like OJ finding her NOT guilty doesn't mean she is INNOCENT of the crime.

[raydernation]

Glad you stepped up to the plate kittybang with your post. All women aren't like this woman. That being said, there are a lot out there like this woman. I've been looking at 48 Hours Mysterys for years and have seen tons of cases like this one, almost all these people are well off financially, thats the sad part. Its like thye're living with a predator from day 1, and they can't see it. She and the other guy did it. Only thing they forgot, this guy smoked Heroin he never injected it. For that much drugs being found in his stomach, how could that happen if you just smoke it? Because it was injested by him. The very fact that she started sleeping with someone he (Binion)brought home, speaks volumns. They recognized how fragile this man was right off the bat. Very sad indeed. But, how did this woman get money to pay Alan Derschowitsch to represent her? Another mystery. But what knocks me to my knees, this woman gets out of prison, and shortly thereafter meets another wealthy man and marries him. Hollywood could never come up with a script like this. Incredible! Who is this new husband, what is he thinking! I hate to say it, but he should be very, very careful. To be honest I think Binion's sister would love to take her off this Earth, and she probably could do it, but know the finger would point right back at her. Cold blooded, scandalous women, hope men learned from this, always, always, pay attention, to everything about these people you meet, everything don't keep your eyes wide shut.

[culturechang]

None of this is a secret about Vegas. It was built on sex and gambling. Another F for investigative reporting.

[libbcbs]

Sandy didn't do anything! Sounds like his sister, Becky was jealous or paranoid.

[mai519]

Sandy will eventually pay more for what she has done! Drugs were found in his stomach! Sandy and the other guy totally put the drugs in his food and/or drink. No point in clearing her name because millions already know the truth. Sandy is an ugly scum.

[Dgunner]

A great BJ and a washing machine just doesn't get what it used to in the 50s.When mothers raise thier daughters to find a wealthy man and lie to him about love and loyalty all they are doing by proxy is raising is instilling in them how to -**** themselves in a disguise accepable to society.keep your legs shaved the dinner hot on time and knees well lotioned so when you wear a dress in public the mark of your true agenda and means of living are not visible.

[monumentalfigure]

These people are not the best of the law-abiding citizens... The killer could be as well the man's sister, daughter or whoever with a possibility to get close on a "good" situation. The man was a serious addict and you don't have to be a future-teller to say that he may die in short time.

Surely young girls are as greedy as can be sometimes, they just use their chances, like everyone else (at that culture and environment) does. Those who complain would do the same if they were pretty and young, so hypocrite is the word.

Should be better to leave the gossip off and concentrate on forensic investigation. What was the case that was hihgly critisized lately - in Italy? Fox, something? Any better in states? Looks like no.

[KiTTyBang]

NO YOU'RE WRONG! I would NOT have done the same! I was a BURLESQUE STAR FOR OVER 20 YEARS! I HAVE A BACKBONE! I'VE WORKED HARD MY ENTIRE LIFE! As a stripper and in law enforcement! SO no HYPOCRITE HERE! AND NO, Binion's sister would NOT have killed her own brother! That poor woman hired investigators remember? And she's wealthy as well, SO there was NO reason why she'd kill her own brother! Sandy is scum even in the stripper's society. When I was working in VEGAS, even the stripper's knew she was low enough to kill that man! The witch did heavy drugs, cheated on her Binion man, and was a lazy "unclassy" phony low life! NO! THIS broad WILL NEVER REPRESENT ME! EVER! I've been with my man for over 22 years, I believe in building with hard labor. Not the easy way by charm, drugs and killing! Again, I believe in judgement day! And YES, Binion's sister is pissed that this criminal witch is still walking the streets!

[KiTTyBang]

I lived in Vegas at the time as well. We forget to mention the Sandy situation on making demands about the bleach hair touch up before she had trial. Talk about drama? It was like, "Duh you dumb broad, you're up for first degree murder!" Screw the hair dye! But NOOOOO, not poor innocent Sandy! The entire State of Nevada wanted this scum burned to the cross. And beautiful woman? Where? She's not beautiful. With those fake fish pumped up lips? And her eyes. You can always tell when this Sociopath lies. Her dark brown eyes kinda dilate into this distant glare. Every time Sandy lies, you can just see it. It's almost demonic! I feel deeply for Ted's sister! remember, Sandy's trial is NOT over yet! Sandy MUST face GOD on judgement day. And that Sandy CANNOT escape!

[Ilove48hours]

To roma52

"She has the last laugh".....I don't think so. For those who know about her story (and thousands more after tonight), they will look at her as a goldigging criminal who got away. Not to mention she probably is suffering from extreme unconsious guilt, nightmares, and PTSD symptoms of the murder she probably commited or helped out in partaking.

Just look at OJ...yes he was declared innocent, but he never could get away from that negative stigma that followed him after the verdict. And sure this woman is no where near OJ's celeb status, but the people who know about the case will label her as someone involved in someone else's death. Her friends probably question her at times. Her husband probably questions her here and there. If she has children, her children will question her. On her deathbed she'll probably question herself....this woman is scarred for the rest of her life. And this is NOTHING to what'll eventually happen to her in the afterlife. Yikes o_O

[justawatcher]

I also KNOW A LOT about this story and things they didn't mention... I highly doubt she is suffering from any type of guilt.. All she cares about is money, and doesn't and DIDN'T care who she hurt to get it. She is a liar and a complete fake and that's the truth!!!!

[roma52]

I have been following this story for years and was in Vegas last year and visited Binions Casino.

Sandy Murphy has successfully reinvented herself and like most criminals can move on without consequence. Murphy surely has come a long way from a topless dancer hasn't she?

I read the book Murder in Sin City and it was reported while Sandy still lived in the Ted Binion's home after his death silver coins were missing, so I am sure she and Tabish cashed in the rest. Also, Murphy was anything but demure in her actions when Ted died unlike her acting job on your program. She was quite brash and loud, during the first trial.

It just goes to show you anything is possible with money. To go from being freed from prison to a wealthy art dealer can only happen in America. Then again while living with Binion, she acquired expensive tastes and in that video while in the Binion home pulled those paintings off of the wall.

Something tells me this won't be the last time we hear from Sandy Murphy.

For now she has the last laugh.

[justawatcher]

I also KNOW A LOT about this story and things they didn't mention... I highly doubt she is suffering from any type of guilt.. All she cares about is money, and doesn't and DIDN'T care who she hurt to get it. She is a liar and a complete fake and that's the truth!!!!


PS~ I agree with you 100% and your so right about the coins!!!

[WebWiseWoman]

Sandy, please remember paybacks! I responded earlier but it did not post, so I'll try again.

You had your "wedding" on cbs as part of this story; shame on you!

When you have children, remember sins of the mother...

I just wish you would stop this madness and not involve others in your life.