The murder trial of Robert Telles, the former Clark County public administrator accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German, kicked off with jury selection on Monday. Telles is facing charges for allegedly murdering German due to articles he wrote about Telles’ actions as an elected official.
Nearly 60 potential jurors gathered at the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas for the jury selection process. The aim is to select a panel of 12 jurors along with alternates. Here are some important points from the initial day of the trial:
During questioning by District Judge Michelle Leavitt, Telles decided to waive further examination of German’s personal devices. The Review-Journal provided prosecutors and Telles’ defense attorney with information from German’s laptop prior to the start of the trial. While the newspaper waived its privilege over certain journalistic information on the devices related to the case, it maintained privilege over other confidential information, whether related to the case or not.
Judge Leavitt also addressed two motions put forth by Telles’ defense attorney, Robert Draskovich. These motions aimed to either dismiss the charges against Telles or exclude certain evidence during the trial. Judge Leavitt dismissed the motion to drop the charges before the trial commenced and also rejected the argument to exclude testimony about Telles’ DNA found under German’s fingernails. Draskovich mentioned that he would raise other objections regarding evidence as the trial progresses.
The trial officially got underway with jury selection starting at 2 p.m. on Monday. Jurors were asked various questions, including their views on the criminal justice system and whether they were familiar with the case through the media. They were also questioned about any potential conflicts that might hinder their service for at least two weeks. Less than 40 individuals were asked to return for the second day of jury selection on Tuesday.
For further inquiries, reach out to Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240.
In the upcoming days of the trial, the court is expected to delve deeper into the evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of the allegations and the involvement of a prominent journalist. As the proceedings unfold, the public will be keen on observing how justice is served and the truth is unraveled in this high-profile trial.
