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Jul. 31, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Benefactor of Sandy Murphy, businessman William Fuller dies

By ADRIENNE PACKER
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Sandy Murphy speaks to William Fuller during 2004 court proceedings. Murphy, with boyfriend Rick Tabish, was accused of killing casino mogul Ted Binion. Fuller, who died Monday, supported Murphy and helped her pay her legal fees.
Photo by Gary Thompson.

The mystery man who took the Las Vegas spotlight when he offered to foot the legal fees of slaying suspect Sandy Murphy died Monday after a series of ailments triggered by a head injury, friends said.

William Fuller died in St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., after suffering a heart attack over the weekend, longtime friend John Prendeville said.

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    • Fuller injected himself into the media circus spawned by the high-profile trial of Murphy, who, with boyfriend Rick Tabish, was accused of drugging and killing casino mogul Ted Binion in 1998. Fuller posted $300,000 cash bail for Murphy and paid at least $150,000 in legal fees.

    His sudden relationship with Murphy sparked speculation that the two were involved or that Murphy was simply a gold digger.

    Prendeville said neither rumor was true.

    "He believed Sandy had an unfair shake because the case was sensationalized in the media," Prendeville said. "He believed in justice and took interest in her case. He wanted to help her out."

    Prendeville said Fuller was not bothered by those who questioned the circumstances surrounding his relationship with Murphy. "Perhaps he quietly enjoyed it for a little while."

    Murphy was found guilty of the charges and sentenced to life in prison. But the conviction was overturned by the state's high court, and in 2004, the Southern California native was acquitted.

    Fuller first took interest in Murphy's case when he saw her on the television news.

    "He saw Sandy Murphy come out of the police van shackled and being tugged" by an officer, Prendeville said. "He felt like that wasn't the right way to treat a woman. He felt she was not getting a fair trial."

    Prendeville could not confirm rumors that Fuller left part of his estate to Murphy.

    "What he left to whom, I never once inquired about that," he said.

    Before he became known to Las Vegans, Fuller was well-known in England, where he owned a construction company that employed more than 3,000 workers. He operated about 26 nightclubs in the United States, England and Ireland, Prendeville said.

    Perhaps Fuller's most famous club is The Buffalo, a Camden Town, England, establishment where popular bands such as U2 and Public Enemy have performed.

    Fuller was an amateur wrestler and a boxing promoter. Even at age 89, he was known to pound on a punching bag in his backyard to release his frustrations, Prendeville said.

    Fuller first suffered a head injury in March, then fell in his California home on two occasions. The injuries led to a broken vertebrae.

    "Ultimately we don't know what the manner or cause of death is," Prendeville said. "I was shocked. I thought he would live on forever. He was a wonderful, wonderful character, and I'm really sorry to lose him."

    Services for Fuller have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the Guardian Angel Cathedral, 302 Cathedral Way.



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    Jason A wrote on October 25, 2008 08:23 PM: dwec`x


    Bill Bin Yung wrote on September 09, 2008 11:38 AM: Just one question..if Sandy Murphy had been an ugly old woman, would Fuller have taken such an interest in the case? I really don't think so...do you?


    thirdcoaster wrote on August 28, 2008 01:16 AM: And we all know that there will always be small people in this world.


    Bill wrote on August 01, 2008 03:45 PM: I was Bill's neighbor for years. He will be missed. He was a thoughtful, generous, intelligent, caring, giving gentleman, albeit a bit rough around the edges.

    Slade, Joe, edg1243 and others who disparage him in this thread will never be the person he was, not by a long shot, and they would never had the nerve to make these comments to his face. It is easy, perhaps even fun, for faceless, nameless, anonymous, small minded cowards to smear the dead from their keyboards, because they do not have the courage to make meaningful contributions to real and accountable life.

    I was lucky to have known this man, and am saddened by his passing. He was one of the last of the good guys.

    As for those of you who delight in degrading him in death, you will have your day, and you will get what is coming to you. Bill will make God smile, your future is less certain...


    Nish wrote on August 01, 2008 09:48 AM: If you people knew Sandy the way I Know her, you'd keep your rude comments to yourself. She is the most down to earth, loving caring woman I know.


    Nish wrote on August 01, 2008 09:43 AM: I'm sorry to hear of Bills passing. He had a heart of gold.


    slade wrote on July 31, 2008 06:55 PM: Fuller first took interest in Murphy's case when he saw her on the television news.



    "He saw Sandy Murphy come out of the police van shackled and being tugged" by an officer, Prendeville said. "He felt like that wasn't the right way to treat a woman. He felt she was not getting a fair trial."



    hahah I'll bet all he saw was a hot babe he wanted to rescue....for himself


    slade wrote on July 31, 2008 06:52 PM: Fuller first took interest in Murphy's case when he saw her on the television news.

    "He saw Sandy Murphy come out of the police van shackled and being tugged" by an officer, Prendeville said. "He felt like that wasn't the right way to treat a woman. He felt she was not getting a fair trial."

    hahah I'll bet all he saw was a hot babe he wanted to rescue....for himself


    edg1243 wrote on July 31, 2008 02:31 PM: sandy and rick did it


    Sandy M wrote on July 31, 2008 12:29 PM: Joe
    I'll bet you wouldn't say that to my face.

    p.s. How old are you?


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