In a case that has left the Las Vegas community and the broader media world stunned, a Nevada jury on Wednesday found former Clark County public administrator Robert Telles guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal stabbing of investigative journalist Jeff German. The conviction comes after an intense 11-day trial, ending with Telles being sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.
The story began with German’s hard-hitting reporting for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he exposed alleged misconduct within Telles’s office, including accusations of an affair and favoritism that led to significant turmoil among employees. German’s articles, published in the months leading up to his death on September 2, 2022, reportedly played a role in Telles losing his primary election just a few months prior.
Telles took the stand during his trial, against his attorney’s advice, and delivered a meandering testimony in which he claimed that his enemies had framed him for the crime. However, the evidence presented by the prosecution was damning. DNA evidence linked Telles to the crime scene, including DNA found under German’s fingernails and surveillance footage, as well as photos of Telles’s vehicle and clothing matching those of the suspect, further implicated him.
Throughout the trial, Telles’s defense attempted to downplay the motive, arguing that the articles published by German did not constitute a reason for murder. However, Telles’s own testimony, where he admitted to lying about the affair German had reported on, painted a picture of a man consumed by anger and desperation.
BREAKING: Robert Telles, the former elected Clark County Public Administrator, was found guilty Wednesday of murdering Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.
UPDATES: https://t.co/Mp5kCzdZka pic.twitter.com/36Fopw9w5p— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) August 28, 2024
In the aftermath of the verdict, colleagues and loved ones of Jeff German expressed a mixture of relief and sorrow. Glenn Cook, Executive Editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, reflected on the loss of a journalist whose work had a significant impact on the community. German was remembered as a tenacious reporter who dedicated his life to uncovering the truth, no matter the cost.
#RobertTelles‘ attorneys tell #CourtTV about “the grenade that we wanted to drop at the end” to hopefully stop the jury from reaching a guilty verdict in the Investigative Reporter Murder Trial. pic.twitter.com/H338CaXai7
— Court TV (@CourtTV) August 29, 2024
The trial and subsequent conviction highlight the risks that journalists face in holding powerful figures accountable. Despite Telles’s conviction, the loss of German leaves a void in investigative journalism that his colleagues at the Review-Journal and beyond will continue to feel. As his sister, Julie Smith, poignantly stated during the sentencing phase, the tragic loss of German’s life is a wound that may never heal.
As the nation awaits a verdict in the #RobertTelles case, a look back at the legacy of Jeff German. Photojournalist @BryanStaples and I were honored to prepare this video for @IRE_NICAR. pic.twitter.com/EzBZ3an1q0
— Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) August 28, 2024
