Telles murder trial delayed to give more time to review slain reporter’s devices
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A judge granted state prosecutors’ motion Tuesday to postpone the murder trial of former politician Robert Telles who is accused of killing an investigative reporter. The trial was set to begin on Monday.
Prosecutors want postponement in Telles murder trial while lawyers review victim’s phone
Prosecutors said more time was needed to review devices belonging to Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German. It was revealed last week during a hearing that two people left death threats on the journalist’s phone before his murder.
Telles attorney, Robert Draskovich, dropped his opposition to the state’s motion because Telles wants to see what surveillance police have on him regarding a bribery investigation that took place before German’s murder.
2 left ‘death threats’ for Las Vegas reporter before murder allegedly involving ex-politician
The 8 News Now Investigators reported that Las Vegas Metropolitan police were tracking Telles on a tip he allegedly received bribes for home sales through his office. The Investigators learned police seized items from Telles and three other people only identified as realtors.
Las Vegas police search Robert Telles, realtors as part of pre-murder bribery investigation
The disgraced former Clark County Public Administrator is accused of stabbing German, 69, to death outside of his home in September 2022 following a series of stories written by German that showed Telles in an unflattering light before the election.
In all, there are six devices police took from German’s home after he died, including the cell phone. Only the content on the cell phone has been reviewed. According to the Review-Journal’s attorney, five other devices are left to be reviewed and they contain a lot of data.
The newspaper’s lawyer is asking to expand the team of people reviewing the data from seven to 17 to expedite the process. Prosecutors and the judge agreed that should be done.
Judge Michelle Leavitt did not set a new trial date but did set a status hearing for the case on March 26.
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