Jury deliberates in trial of Robert Telles, accused of murder

Jury deliberations have started in the trial of Robert Telles, a Democratic politician from Las Vegas, accused of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German in 2022. German had been writing critical articles about Telles.

During cross-examination on Thursday, prosecutor Pamela Weckerly confronted Telles with a surprise text message from his wife that had disappeared from his phone. Telles, 47, insisted he was innocent, claiming that colleagues, real estate agents, business owners, and police had framed him due to his efforts to combat corruption in his role overseeing unclaimed estates.

“I didn’t stab anyone. I did not kill Mr. German,” Telles stated. “That’s my testimony.”

Following German’s initial stories in May 2022, which exposed workplace issues and an affair involving Telles, he lost his Democratic primary for re-election. Just a day before German was killed, Telles discovered that Clark County officials were about to release his emails and texts with the woman to German, who had requested public records.

“The murder happened about 15 hours later,” said Weckerly. She showed the jury a timeline and videos of Telles’ maroon SUV leaving his neighbourhood shortly after 9 a.m. on September 2, 2022, and driving near German’s home.

A person in an orange outfit, similar to one worn by the SUV driver, was seen on camera approaching German’s home and entering a side yard. “That person waits,” Weckerly explained, playing a video from a neighbour’s home showing German entering the side yard where he was attacked. Two minutes later, a figure in orange leaves, and German does not reappear.

Weckerly argued that the evidence pointed to first-degree murder, describing it as willful, deliberate, and premeditated. Although the murder weapon was not recovered, evidence indicated one was used.

German’s body was discovered the next day, with Telles’ DNA found beneath his fingernails. Robert Telles claimed the DNA was planted. The jury also heard about pieces of a straw hat and a grey athletic shoe found at Telles’ house, resembling items worn by the person in the orange shirt, which was never recovered.

“You are the sole judges of the facts,” Telles’ attorney, Draskovich, told the jury during closing arguments. The jury, reduced to 12 members, broke for lunch and began deliberations just before 2 p.m.

Robert Telles testified on Friday, the day German would have turned 71. Originally from Milwaukee, German had a 44-year career covering crime, courts, and corruption in Las Vegas. Telles, an attorney who practiced civil law before his 2018 election, had his law license suspended after his arrest. He faces a life sentence if convicted.