Las Vegas Official Convicted in Shocking Case Involving Local Journalist

Former Nevada politician Robert Telles has been found guilty of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German.

At a Glance

Former Nevada politician Robert Telles was found guilty of first-degree murder.
Victim: Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German.
Telles, 47, has been imprisoned since 2022 for the stabbing.
DNA evidence under German’s fingernails linked to Telles.
Telles faces up to life in prison, sentencing pending.

Robert Telles Found Guilty

Former Clark County public administrator Robert Telles has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Jeff German, an investigative journalist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The verdict brings closure to a chilling case that has spotlighted the risks faced by journalists who hold public figures accountable.

German, 69, was found stabbed seven times outside his home in September 2022. At the time of his death, German was reportedly working on more articles related to misconduct within Telles’s office. Prosecutors argued that Telles, who had lost his primary for a second term after German’s unfavorable articles were published, committed the murder out of revenge.

The jury in the trial of Robert Telles found the former Clark County, Nevada, elected official guilty of murder in the death of investigative reporter Jeff German on Wednesday. https://t.co/aXbcFt4n7f pic.twitter.com/3vsyphW0o6

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2024

Evidence and Testimonies

DNA evidence found under German’s fingernails was a key factor linking Telles to the murder. Security footage also captured a figure wearing a straw hat and sneakers, items later found cut up at Telles’s home. Prosecutors also presented a timeline and video footage showing Telles’s SUV near the crime scene. Telles pleaded not guilty, claiming he was framed, but the jury deliberated for two days before delivering a guilty verdict.

Glenn Cook, the executive editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, issued a statement: “Jeff (German) was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job.”

During the trial, the defense argued that the evidence against Telles had been planted. Despite this, testimonies from dozens of witnesses over a two-week period helped the jury reach a unanimous verdict. The case has raised significant concerns about the safety of journalists in the United States and press freedom.

BREAKING: Robert Telles, an ex-politician, is found guilty in the murder of Jeff German, a Las Vegas reporter who wrote articles critical of him. https://t.co/zUQgDqaXOL

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2024

Impact on Press Freedom and Safety

The conviction of Robert Telles has broader implications for the safety of journalists. Las Vegas Review-Journal executive editor Glenn Cook stated, “Today a Clark County jury delivered a measure of justice for Jeff German, and we hope it brings some solace to his family, friends, and colleagues.” The verdict underlines the dangers faced by those who seek to expose corruption and hold the powerful accountable.

“Robert Telles could have joined the long line of publicly shamed Nevada politicians who’ve gone on with their lives, out of the spotlight or back in it. Instead, he carried out a premeditated revenge killing with terrifying savagery,” Glenn Cook, the executive editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, said. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/28/las-vegas-murder-trial-reporter-verdict

Telles now awaits sentencing, where he could face life in prison. The case remains a stark reminder of the essential role of investigative journalism and the inherent risks that come with it. The local community and the broader journalistic world continue to mourn Jeff German, who dedicated over 40 years to revealing the truth and championing justice.

Robert Telles, a former Clark County Public Administrator accused of the stabbing death of investigative reporter Jeff German, has been found guilty on all counts in the high-profile murder trial. https://t.co/2pRWfmvnO2

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) August 28, 2024