Las Vegas, NV — A former Nevada politician stood before a jury on Wednesday, vehemently denying accusations that he murdered a Las Vegas investigative journalist who had written articles critical of his conduct in office. Robert Telles, 47, the ousted Clark County Public Administrator, declared his innocence in the September 2022 killing of Jeff German, a seasoned reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“I am innocent, I didn’t kill Mr. German,” Telles asserted in his testimony, addressing the jurors directly during what became an intense day in court. The defense argued that Telles was framed in retaliation for his attempts to expose corruption within his office.
Throughout the proceedings, Telles expressed that he was “nervous” and described the accusation as a “nightmare.” His testimony was frequently interrupted by objections from the prosecution, upheld by Judge Michelle Leavitt, who instructed him to focus solely on firsthand knowledge and avoid conjectural statements.
Telles, who represented himself without direct questioning from a defense attorney, suggested a conspiracy against him might have originated from his political enemies benefiting serendipitously from German’s untimely death. “It’d be quite a coincidence,” he remarked, hinting at motives rooted in the bureaucratic resistance he encountered while in office.
The prosecution presented a starkly different narrative, portraying Telles as a man incensed by German’s reporting on alleged dysfunction and misconduct within the Public Administrator’s office. They referred to evidence, including video footage and DNA analysis, which they claimed linked Telles to the crime scene and the murder weapon.
Approximately twenty-four witnesses were called by the prosecution, presenting evidence ranging from surveillance video to DNA traces found under German’s fingernails which matched Telles. These findings seemed to anchor the prosecution’s case that Telles, donned in disguise, lay in wait outside German’s home before attacking the journalist.
In sharp contrast, the defense highlighted the absence of Telles’ cell phone at the crime scene and criticized the police investigation’s integrity. Draskovich, Telles’ attorney, proposed the possibility that crucial evidence might have been tampered with or planted, pointing to the cut-up items of clothing found at Telles’ residence, which were mysteriously free of any bloodstains.
The killing of German, a journalist renowned for his coverage of Las Vegas’ underbelly, from mobsters to corrupt officials, has spotlighted the risks faced by journalists even in the United States. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, German is among 14 journalists killed in the country since 1992, underscoring a troubling trend of violence against members of the press.
Further complicating the former public administrator’s narrative, Telles had suffered a significant political defeat, losing his bid for re-election shortly after the incriminating articles were published in June 2022, a fact that prosecutors hinted could have amplified his motive for silencing German.
The trial will continue with Telles expected to resume his testimony the following morning. As the community closely watches, the outcome of this case could have profound implications not only for Telles but also for the safety and freedom of journalists nationwide. This courtroom drama unfolds nearly two years after the incident that shocked both the local community and observers across the country, bringing attention once again to the perils journalists face even within the supposed safety of their homeland.