A former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician, Robert Telles, was found guilty of murder by a jury after being charged with killing investigative journalist, Jeff German. German had written critical stories about Telles, including allegations of an inappropriate romantic relationship with a coworker. The prosecution argued that Telles stabbed German to death in September 2022 because he felt threatened by the journalist’s ongoing investigations into his conduct and workplace practices.
Jurors deliberated for several hours over the course of two days following a two-week trial. The prosecution claimed that Telles was motivated by a desire to silence German and protect his career, reputation, and marriage. Telles, who lost his Democratic primary after German’s critical stories were published, maintained his innocence and argued that he was being framed for fighting corruption in the industry. The defense stressed the importance of meeting the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
German was found dead outside his home with multiple stab wounds, only a day after county officials had notified Telles that they would be providing German with email and text messages between Telles and a female coworker. Prosecutors alleged that Telles had planned the murder in response to German’s investigative reporting, which he believed had ruined his life. Evidence presented during the trial included DNA found beneath German’s fingernails that matched Telles, as well as images of Telles’ home and neighborhood taken from his personal devices.
During the trial, Telles’s wife’s Apple Watch revealed a three-word text message that had been allegedly deleted from his phone, further complicating his alibi. The message indicated that Telles had been asked about his whereabouts around the time of the murder, suggesting that he may have intentionally left his cellphone at home to avoid being tracked. Telles referred to the perpetrator as German’s killer while testifying, adding more uncertainty to the case. If convicted, Telles faces life in prison for the murder of Jeff German, who was the only journalist killed in the U.S. in 2022.
The prosecution argued that Telles specifically targeted German due to the journalist’s damaging investigative work, which exposed Telles’s misconduct and threatened his professional and personal life. Despite strong evidence linking Telles to the crime scene, including DNA evidence and images of a distinctive maroon SUV similar to one seen near German’s home, key pieces of evidence such as the murder weapon and the orange work shirt worn by the perpetrator were never recovered. The jury heard testimony from both the prosecution and defense, ultimately leading to Telles’s conviction based on the evidence presented and the arguments made by both sides in the case.
German’s family members, who sat quietly in the courtroom during the trial, may find some closure now that Telles has been found guilty of their loved one’s murder. Telles’s conviction marks a significant outcome in a case that has drawn national attention for the murder of an investigative journalist in the line of duty. The trial highlighted the risks faced by journalists who expose corruption and misconduct, as well as the importance of holding those responsible for such crimes accountable for their actions.
