LAS VEGAS — The former public official accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German claimed in court Tuesday that a local real estate firm framed him in German’s slaying.
“I believe that Compass Realty framed me for Mr. German’s murder,” Robert Telles alleged during a hearing before District Judge Jerry Wiese on Tuesday.
The hearing was held in response to Telles’ motion to have the judge in his impending murder trial, District Judge Michelle Leavitt, removed. In that motion, which he filed in December, Telles claimed Leavitt is favoring the Clark County district attorney and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Acting as his own attorney, Telles repeatedly used the phrase “deep-seated favoritism” to describe what he alleged is Leavitt’s continued violation of his constitutional rights and her intentional misconduct.
He said Tuesday that the judge’s bias against him has been shown by numerous decisions that have gone against him as the case has progressed toward a trial.
Authorities allege that Telles, the former Clark County public administrator, stabbed German to death outside German’s home in September 2022 over articles the reporter had written about Telles’ conduct as an elected official.
Telles, who has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge, leveled his claim of being framed as part of his effort to explain why he thought the judge is acting in a biased way toward him.
Court records show that when Telles was still in office, he objected to efforts by a Compass agent to take charge of probate cases in Clark County.
State law allows such private administrators to oversee cases. Telles argued, among other things, that he had higher priority under Nevada statute.
Telles has also claimed that what prosecutors called “overwhelming evidence” against him was planted at his home. Prosecutors also said Telles’ DNA was found under German’s fingernails.
“Your honor, I believe that if you do not disqualify Judge Leavitt, respectfully, I think that it’s going to send a message that, you know, money can buy anything, even the wrongful conviction of an innocent man.”