Former Nevada politician Robert Telles has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of journalist Jeff German, who wrote critical stories about Telles during his time in office. Telles, who had been jailed since 2022 for the stabbing of German, maintained his innocence throughout the trial but was convicted based on DNA evidence found under German’s fingernails.
The jury deliberated for two days before returning a guilty verdict and sentencing Telles to life in prison. Telles, who served as Clark County public administrator, sat blank-faced in court as the verdict was read, bowing his head in response. He is eligible for parole after serving 20 years behind bars.
Prosecutors argued that Telles killed German over unflattering articles the journalist had written about his behavior as an elected official, including allegations of inappropriate relationships and hostile behavior in his office. Security footage showed a figure wearing a straw hat and sneakers outside German’s home, with similar items found at Telles’s residence.
Despite Telles’s claims of being framed, the prosecution presented DNA evidence, a timeline, and video footage of Telles’s SUV near German’s home before the murder. District Attorney Steve Wolfson praised the jury’s decision, stating that they “hit a home run” with the verdict.
German, a veteran reporter known for his coverage of corruption in the city, had one more article to publish about Telles before his death. The executive editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Glenn Cook, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, saying that German was killed for holding elected officials accountable and empowering voters to make informed decisions.
The trial, which spanned two weeks and included testimony from numerous witnesses, ultimately resulted in justice being served for Jeff German and his dedication to investigative journalism.
