A former Las Vegas Democratic politician, Robert Telles, is on trial for the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German, who had written critical stories about Telles and his office. German was found slashed and stabbed to death outside his home in September 2022. Telles has pleaded not guilty and claims he was framed for the crime. The prosecution presented evidence including photos retrieved from Telles’ devices, such as images of German’s home and neighborhood, as well as internet searches related to German’s personal information. Telles had searched for German’s home and accessed Google Maps images prior to the journalist’s murder.
The investigation into German’s death revealed that Telles had used his phone to look up German’s home multiple times, including just days before the killing. The prosecution also introduced a photo from Telles’ work computer showing search results related to German’s personal details. Detective Justine Gatus testified that the articles German had written about Telles and his office were not well-received by the defendant, who had publicly criticized German on social media. Telles allegedly had a history of disparaging German and dismissing the critical stories written about him. Digital forensics supervisor Matthew Hovanec confirmed that images on Telles’ devices included a photo of a security camera at German’s home.
The prosecution argued that evidence found at Telles’ residence, including cut-up pieces of an orange work shirt, a straw hat, and shoes resembling those worn by the person seen on video outside German’s home, linked Telles to the murder. They also mentioned DNA evidence beneath German’s fingernails believed to be that of Telles. Telles, originally from El Paso, Texas, moved to Las Vegas and worked as a lawyer before running for the position of Clark County administrator of estates in 2018. He lost his elected position following his arrest and had his law license suspended. If found guilty, Telles faces the possibility of life in prison, as prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.
Telles’ defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, questioned the credibility of the evidence presented by the prosecution, suggesting that the phone could have been hacked and the incriminating photos could have been manipulated. The defense plans for Telles to testify in his own defense, possibly as early as Tuesday afternoon. German, a veteran investigative journalist respected for his coverage of organized crime, government corruption, and political scandals in Las Vegas, had worked for both the Las Vegas Sun and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The case has received significant media attention, with Fox News and the Associated Press reporting on the ongoing trial.
The trial of Robert Telles has brought to light the contentious relationship between the former politician and the deceased journalist, as well as the lingering animosity Telles had towards German following critical articles published about him. The evidence presented by the prosecution, including photographs retrieved from Telles’ devices and items found at the scene of the crime, aims to establish a connection between Telles and the murder of Jeff German. Telles, who continues to maintain his innocence, faces a potential life sentence if convicted. The outcome of the trial will determine the fate of the former politician, whose career and reputation hang in the balance.
