Robert Telles wants to disqualify judge overseeing murder case

Former Clark County Administrator Robert Telles, who is implicated of murdering Las Vegas Review-Journal press reporter Jeff German, waits in court for a hearing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas Thursday, March 9, 2023. Former Clark County Administrator Robert Telles, who is implicated of murdering Las Vegas Review-Journal press reporter Jeff German, gets here in court for a hearing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas Thursday, March 9, 2023. Former Clark County Administrator Robert Telles, who is accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, tries to submit a movement for the judge to recuse herself court during a hearing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles stated Thursday that he wants to disqualify the judge managing his murder case.

Telles is representing himself against a murder charge in connection with the killing of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative press reporter Jeff German, who was fatally stabbed in front of his house in September.

A court hearing Thursday was set up to designate Telles standby counsel, who could encourage him during court proceedings, however Telles rather asked to submit a movement.

" I have here a movement for your honor's recusal that I want to have heard prior to any other orders," Telles informed District Judge Michelle Leavitt.

The judge reacted: "If you want to file a motion to disqualify, that's not the method you do it. You'll be needed to follow the guidelines."

Leavitt stated that a various judge would need to rule on the motion, as a marshal took a file from Telles to be submitted throughout the court hearing. A copy of the movement was not immediately available.

In court recently, Leavitt questioned Telles for almost 30 minutes about his knowledge of the criminal legal system prior to permitting him to represent himself.

Telles is implicated of killing German over posts he had actually discussed his conduct as an elected authorities. He has actually pleaded innocent to a murder charge, and has told other regional media outlets that he was framed.

In court, prosecutors have actually pointed to several pieces of evidence against Telles in German's slaying, including DNA discovered below the reporter's fingernails, and clothes and bloody pieces of a shoe found at Telles' house matching items used by a suspect seen in security video wandering German's neighborhood the day he was eliminated.

Telles stays in the Clark County Detention Center without bail. A jury trial in the event is currently set up for November.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.