The Review-Journal has agreed to give prosecutors, police and defense attorneys the majority of files from the phone of slain investigative reporter Jeff German.
Courts
A Las Vegas judge on Tuesday granted prosecutors’ motion to continue the murder trial for former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles.
Prosecutors told a judge that they do not want to move forward with a trial this month for Robert Telles, who is accused of killing R-J reporter Jeff German.
Defense attorney Robert Draskovich said he wants a recording of a death threat sent to Jeff German before the reporter was killed.
The Metropolitan Police Department has paid outside counsel more than $75,000 to represent it in a case over investigative reporter Jeff German’s devices.
The murder trial for a former elected official accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German is scheduled to begin next month, but attorneys may still push back the case.
Jeff German’s killing and how the Review-Journal newsroom responded to the aftermath, including the arrest of Robert Telles, are explored in the CBS news series.
Robert Telles’ defense attorney filed a motion Wednesday claiming evidence should show prosecutors have no clear evidence of Telles’ motive to kill reporter Jeff German.
Robert Telles made the allegation as part of his effort to have judge removed from his case.
Lawyers for the Las Vegas Review-Journal are discussing the agreement with Las Vegas police and prosecutors.
In overturning a District Court ruling, justices held that shield law protections did not die with Jeff German when he was murdered in 2022.
The Review-Journal argued in a Monday filing that allowing police and prosecutors to search Jeff German’s phone and computers would damage journalism.
Robert Telles, charged with Jeff German’s murder, has two public defenders despite court rules saying only the indigent can get free counsel. He reported 6 properties and an income of $20k a month.
In life, Jeff German fought to protect sources. After his slaying, law enforcement and defense attorneys are fighting to obtain his devices, putting those protections at risk.
Rita Reid, a deputy in the Public Administrator’s Office, said in hindsight, a text from Robert Telles was a subtle threat. “It could have been us, it could have been me. There was a lot of anger.”