Former Nevada politician Robert Telles received a life sentence in prison on Wednesday after being convicted of murdering prominent Las Vegas investigative journalist Jeff German in September 2022. The murder stemmed from German’s critical reporting on Telles’ leadership as Clark County’s public administrator.
The jury found Telles guilty of first-degree murder following two days of deliberation. He will be eligible for parole after serving at least 20 years. Although he faced the possibility of life without parole, prosecutors opted not to pursue the death penalty.
Clark County Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner stated in court, “Robert Telles decided to be judge, jury and literally the executioner of a man who was simply trying to do his job — to report the news.”
German, 69, was discovered stabbed to death outside his home in Las Vegas on September 3, 2022. His reporting had included allegations of bullying and favoritism within Telles’ office, as well as inquiries into a romantic relationship Telles had with an employee, which Telles eventually acknowledged in court.
After losing his re-election bid in June 2022, Telles expressed his frustrations on social media regarding German’s negative coverage. Prosecutors highlighted his motive as revenge against the journalist’s reporting.
During the trial, Telles maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed. However, security footage captured a person in bright orange attire lurking on German’s property before the attack. Evidence found at Telles’ residence included partially destroyed shoes and remnants of a straw hat similar to that seen in the video. Additionally, DNA matching Telles’ was identified under German’s fingernails, which Telles suggested was planted, and text messages from his wife indicated he was near the crime scene around the time of the murder.
Telles testified on his behalf, denying having any hatred towards German, and mentioned various individuals he believed conspired against him. Despite his testimony, Telles struggled to explain how evidence was supposedly planted in his home.
He faced enhanced sentencing due to the use of a deadly weapon and the fact that the victim was elderly. Telles’ attorney, Robert Draskovich, urged the jury to consider mercy in sentencing, but the district attorney dismissed Telles’ framing claims as “ludicrous” and emphasized that the only conspiracy was Telles’ own malicious intent.