Binion case gets a boost Jeff German is a senior investigative reporter for the Las Vegas Sun.
Drugs are out and suffocation is in.
In another remarkable development in this case, prosecutors last week brought in widely respected New York pathologist Michael Baden to blow away the drug overdose theory advanced by their own medical examiner, Lary Simms. The stunning events unfolded in the courtroom of Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti during the preliminary hearing for Binion's accused killers, his girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, and her reported lover, Rick Tabish. Once the shock of Baden's testimony wore off, it became clear that he had given prosecutors an incredible boost. It turns out, they did seek his help months ago. I'm told Chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger, the lead prosecutor in the case, suggested bringing Baden on board back in January, but Clark County Coroner Ron Flud killed the idea.