In a landmark ruling, former Democrat official Robert Telles was handed a minimum sentence of 28 years in Nevada state prison on Wednesday for the murder of esteemed investigative journalist Jeff German.
Telles, who served as the Clark County Public Administrator from 2019 to 2022, was implicated in the murder following a series of articles penned by German for the Las Vegas Review-Journal that exposed Telles' workplace corruption and inappropriate relationships.
German's investigative work, which spotlighted Telles' misconduct and an illicit affair with a female coworker, was published two years prior to his untimely demise. Telles' conviction in August was followed by additional sentencing enhancements due to factors such as "lying in wait, using a deadly weapon, and the reporters age," which extended his minimum term by eight years. The term "lying in wait" is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as the act of concealing oneself to ambush and attack a victim unexpectedly.
According to CBS station KLAS-TV, Telles addressed German's family during the sentencing, expressing his condolences while maintaining his innocence. Despite his claims, the 47-year-old former official's DNA was found under German's fingernails, providing substantial evidence against him. Telles, who was in charge of a county office dealing with probate property and unclaimed estate issues at the time of the murder, has been in jail without bail since his arrest.
As reported by One America News, Telles' defense lawyer, Robert Draskovich, has confirmed that Telles plans to appeal his conviction. German, a respected journalist known for his coverage of corruption, justice, and crime in Las Vegas, was 69 at the time of his murder. His exposs on the chaos and harassment at the Clark County Public Administrator/Guardian office, as well as Telles' secret relationship, led to Telles losing his primary for a second term in office. Telles' legal license was also suspended following his arrest.
CBS News reported that the police sought public assistance to identify an individual captured on neighborhood security footage driving a maroon SUV and wearing a broad straw hat and oversized orange long-sleeve shirt. The individual, believed to be the assailant, was seen slipping into the side yard where German was fatally stabbed and slashed. Police later found a maroon SUV at Telles' residence, along with fragments of a straw hat and a gray athletic shoe matching those seen in the CCTV footage.
Telles, who took the stand in his defense, was unable to account for his DNA found on German or the disguise elements discovered at his residence. He admitted to the office romance exposed by German but denied murdering the journalist. Telles claimed to be the victim of a large-scale conspiracy involving the police, a real estate corporation, DNA experts, former coworkers, and others who had "framed" him. "I am not the kind of person who would stab someone. I didnt kill Mr. German," Telles asserted. "And thats my testimony."
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner stated that Telles maintained that German had ruined his career, damaged his reputation, and endangered his marriage. Telles told the jury that he was at the gym and out for a walk at the time of German's murder. However, evidence showed that Telles' wife had texted him asking, "Where are you?" around the time of the murder. The prosecution argued that Telles was untraceable at the time because he had left his phone at home.
After nearly twelve hours of deliberation over three days, the jury convicted Telles. The court heard testimonies from German's siblings and pleas for leniency from Telles' mother, wife, and ex-wife before deciding on his eligibility for parole. Judge Michelle Leavitt of the Clark County District Court, authorized to increase Telles' sentence by up to eight years due to German being over 60 and the premeditated nature of the attack, is expected to make a final ruling soon.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson expressed his hope for a life sentence for Telles, citing his lack of remorse and potential danger to the community. "This defendant has shown absolutely no remorse, no acceptance of responsibility," Wolfson stated. "And in fact, his behavior is such that I believe he is an extreme danger to the community if he is ever released."
Katherine Jacobsen, the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean program coordinator at the committee, stated that Telles' conviction sends "an important message that the killing of journalists will not be tolerated." This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in their pursuit of truth and the importance of holding those who seek to silence them accountable.
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