LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Clark County district court judge Michelle Leavitt pushed back the trial date for former Public Administrator Robert Telles to March 18.
Telles is the suspect in the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal journalist Jeff German.
During a hearing on Wednesday, the judge granted Telles' request for continuance after acknowledging "significant" issues with the discovery process.
Telles, who is representing himself, has previously filed multiple motions, claiming that the attorneys representing Metro have not presented him with any evidence requested and accusing them of misconduct.
Back in September, Telles filed a motion seeking to delay his trial. He argued he did not have all the evidence needed for trial.
Telles claimed, in part, he needed information from German's personal devices. Judge Leavitt had approved a plan for German's devices to be searched by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigators.
But German's employer, Las Vegas Review-Journal, fought any release appealing to the Nevada Supreme Court citing Nevada's shield law.
Earlier this month, the high court rejected the judge's plan ruling that law protect journalists from disclosing sources.
"We're not just talking about evidence from Mr. German's devices," said Telles in court Wednesday. "We're talking about evidence your honor had ordered back in March."
Telles claimed evidence he received from Metro were "encrypted files." He also told the judge he retained co-counsel Gary Modaferri for a Franks hearing, a court proceeding to determine if a police officer lied in obtaining a search warrant.
Modaferri told Channel 13 he is only an advisor not his counsel in the murder case.
"I was retained by Mr. Telles to assist him with constitutional issues," said Modaferri. "I have not and am not retained to represent him in court at all.
Also in court were County public administrator's office workers. All were wearing the color red and a pin supporting Jeff German.
"There was quite a bit of turmoil prior to Jeff German's murder," said Rita Reid, the current Clark County public administrator. "He spoke for us. He believed in us and he was our advocate."
Reid said her office has been working tirelessly to rebuild and they continue to work hard for German.
"Many people wouldn't listen, didn't listen for a long time," said Reid. "Jeff did. If not for Jeff, I probably wouldn't be standing here. I wouldn't be in office now. We're bringing him with us and praying and hoping for justice for his family."
Telles is back in court Thursday for a hearing on his motion for discovery related relief.
