Robert Telles, Former Politician, Guilty of Murder

Robert Telles, a former Las Vegas public official, has been convicted of the murder of veteran investigative journalist Jeff German.

At a Glance

Former Nevada politician Robert Telles found guilty of first-degree murder.
Victim: Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German.
DNA evidence under German’s fingernails linked to Telles.
Telles faces up to life in prison, sentencing pending.

Conviction and Trial Overview

Robert Telles, the former Clark County public administrator, was convicted by a jury of 12 on charges of first-degree murder. The trial lasted two weeks and included testimonies from dozens of witnesses. The jury deliberated for two days before returning the guilty verdict. Telles had been jailed since 2022 after the attack.

Telles, who pleaded not guilty, insisted he was framed, but the prosecution presented substantial evidence, including DNA links and security footage, making this a tightly contested case.

Telles’s trial drew significant attention, reflecting the severity and unusual nature of the crime committed by a public official. Jeff German was 69 when he was stabbed seven times outside his home in September 2022. The prosecution argued that Telles targeted German due to critical articles he had written exposing inappropriate behavior within Telles’s office.

Evidence and Defense Argument

The prosecution presented DNA evidence found under German’s fingernails that matched Telles. Additional evidence included a timeline and video footage of Telles’s SUV near the crime scene. Security footage showed an assailant in a straw hat and sneakers outside German’s home, items later found cut up at Telles’s house.

“Today a Clark County jury delivered a measure of justice for Jeff German, and we hope it brings some solace to his family, friends and colleagues,” said Glenn Cook, Executive Editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job.”

Despite the evidence, Telles’s defense argued that he was framed and that the evidence was planted. However, the jury found the prosecution’s case compelling enough to deliver a guilty verdict.

Implications for Press Freedom

The tragic murder of Jeff German underscores the severe dangers journalists face and brings to light urgent concerns regarding press freedom and the safety of local reporters. German had built a reputation for his dedication to uncovering corruption and crime, holding public officials to account through his investigative journalism.

BREAKING: Robert Telles, an ex-politician, is found guilty in the murder of Jeff German, a Las Vegas reporter who wrote articles critical of him. https://t.co/zUQgDqaXOL

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2024

The case has resonated within the journalism community, highlighting the importance of safeguarding press freedom and ensuring justice for attacks on journalists. Jeff German’s death is a stark reminder of the crucial role that investigative journalists play in democracy, often at great personal risk. As this case progresses to sentencing, Telles faces the possibility of life imprisonment, pending the final sentencing decision.

“Robert Telles could have joined the long line of publicly shamed Nevada politicians who’ve gone on with their lives, out of the spotlight or back in it. Instead, he carried out a premeditated revenge killing with terrifying savagery,” Glenn Cook added. “Today also brought a measure of justice for slain journalists all over the world. Our jobs are increasingly risky and sometimes dangerous. In many countries, the killers of journalists go unpunished. Not so in Las Vegas.”

This conviction is a significant step towards justice for Jeff German and marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to protect freedom of the press and ensure accountability within public offices.