A former Democratic official in the Las Vegas area has been sentenced to at least 28 years in Nevada state prison for the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German. The former official, Robert Telles, was found guilty of killing German, who had written critical articles about Telles’ conduct in office and his relationship with a female coworker. Telles denied stabbing German to death, but evidence, including his DNA found under German’s fingernails, pointed to his involvement in the crime.
German, a respected reporter with 44 years of experience covering crime, courts, and corruption in Las Vegas, was 69 years old at the time of his death. Telles, who was the elected administrator of a county office, lost his bid for re-election after German’s articles exposed misconduct in the office and Telles’ romantic relationship with a colleague. Telles’ law license was suspended following his arrest.
During the trial, Telles claimed that he was framed by a conspiracy involving various individuals and organizations. He maintained his innocence, stating that he did not kill German. However, the jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in prison with the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including surveillance footage and items found at Telles’ residence, linking him to the crime scene. Despite Telles’ denials, the jury concluded that he was responsible for German’s murder. The judge imposed additional years to Telles’ sentence due to the use of a deadly weapon, the age of the victim, and the premeditated nature of the killing.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson expressed confidence that Telles’ sentence would keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, given his lack of remorse and the severity of the crime. The conviction of Telles was seen as a message that violence against journalists would not be tolerated, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The case highlighted the dangers faced by journalists in the U.S., with German being the only journalist killed in 2022. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented 17 media workers killed in the U.S. since 1992, underscoring the risks journalists often face in their line of work.
Telles’ attorney has stated that he intends to appeal the conviction, prolonging the legal proceedings surrounding the case. The sentencing of Telles serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding press freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists who work to uncover the truth.
