LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — New evidence in a murder case involving a disgraced Clark County, Nevada, elected official was revealed during a court hearing Tuesday. Robert Telles is accused of killing investigative journalist Jeff German in September 2022.

Defense attorney Robert Draskovich, who represents Telles, told a Clark County judge that the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s review of German’s phone found an angry voicemail from a man with a distinct high-pitched voice, not Telles’ voice, according to Draskovich.

He said the voicemail — which he called “potentially exculpatory” — was about a February 2022 story German wrote about U.S. extremism. Draskovich said the message was around 45 seconds long and full of expletives, and the caller threatened to kill German.

Although Telles, who was present in the courtroom, wants to proceed with his March 18 trial, Draskovich is considering asking for a continuance in the trial so there is time to further explore the voicemail and other evidence that may come to light.

Draskovich said prosecutors might also want extra time to investigate the voicemail and find out who left it.

After a lengthy court battle over German’s phones and computers, a judge allowed a “search team” to go through his electronic devices.

Telles is accused of stabbing 69-year-old German to death outside his home. Detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Telles’ DNA was found under German’s fingernails. Detectives believe Telles targeted German because of articles he wrote about problems in the Clark County Public Administrator’s office, which Telles oversaw.

A court date is set for March 6 to determine if the trial will move forward and to hear an update on the status of the Review-Journal’s search of the phone.