LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — After a jury convicted former politician Robert Telles of murder, they will now consider his fate as the sentencing phase of the trial begins.
On Wednesday, Telles was convicted of killing Jeff German, a Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson called the verdict a message that efforts to silence or intimidate a journalist wouldn’t be tolerated.
The high-profile trial contrasted two conflicting narratives. The defense, headed by attorney Robert Draskovich, focused on potential human error by law enforcement. Telles, who took the stand on his behalf, described a broad conspiracy that saw him as a victim framed for German’s murder. The prosecution emphasized Telles’ motive: anger towards German’s reporting.
The penalty phase began just before 1:40 p.m. Prosecutor Pam Weckerly told the jury that there were three options for first-degree murder convictions in Nevada. 50 years in a Nevada Department of Corrections facility with the possibility of parole after 20 years, a life sentence with a chance for parole after 20 years, and life without the possibility of parole.
First to the stand was Jay German, Jeff German’s brother. Jay detailed his relationship with his brother and the reporter’s passion for his craft.
“Jeff took seriously every story he worked on,” Jay German said. “He really enjoyed being an investigative reporter.”
-
Photos of a young Jeff German were shown in court. -
Photos of Jay German and his brother Jeff were shown to court.
He recounted his reaction to finding out that his brother had been murdered and that German had no interest in retiring. He wanted to continue investigating, Jay said. The court was shown photos of Jeff while Jay recounted the reporter’s athleticism and their tight-knit relationship.
Next, Jill Zwerg, Jeff German’s younger sibling, took the stand. She was shown a photo of the young siblings and then the siblings together, older. More family photos were shown while Zwerg recounted the late reporter’s relationship with his family.
Who is Robert Telles?
Robert Telles is a lawyer and former public official with Clark County. According to the county, Telles has lived in the area for at least 20 years. He was the focus of several investigative stories by Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.
Telles graduated from UNLV’s Boyd School of Law in 2014. One year later he founded Accolade Law, which was located on West Charleston Boulevard between Rancho Drive and Valley View Boulevard and focused on estate planning and probate.
In 2018, Telles first ran for Clark County public administrator as a Democrat. He claimed victory over Republican candidate Thomas Fougere and took office in January 2019 to serve a four-year term, which ended on Jan. 2, 2023. Telles ran for re-election, losing to fellow Democrat Rita Reid.
His campaign was mired in controversy surrounding stories written by the Review-Journal, specifically German, who uncovered claims of bullying and retaliation within his office.
Who was Jeff German?
Jeff German had been an investigative reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal since 2010 after more than two decades at the Las Vegas Sun, where he was a columnist and reporter who covered courts, politics, labor, government, and organized crime.
Glenn Cook, the Review-Journal’s executive editor, said German was known to break big stories and develop “impactful investigations across every part of Southern Nevada life.”
German had published several stories about Telles’ office, saying it was in “turmoil” in the months leading up to his stabbing death on Labor Day weekend of 2022. German was found with seven stab wou
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Source Agencies
