Jury deliberations continue in Robert Telles murder trial – WATCH LIVE | Courts

A jury began its third day of deliberations Wednesday morning in the murder trial of former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, who is accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.

The panel of seven women and five men deliberated for four hours on Monday and about six hours on Tuesday. Telles' trial dragged on for two weeks before the lawyers made their closing arguments on Monday morning.

District Court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price said deliberations resumed Wednesday.

Telles, 47, is accused of killing German because the journalist wrote articles about his conduct as an elected official, including accusing him of creating a hostile work environment and having an “inappropriate” relationship with a female staffer.

Prosecutors said Telles “lied in wait” for German while wearing an orange safety vest and a large straw hat, and then attacked the journalist outside his home on September 2, 2022.

Telles' defense attorney Robert Draskovich told the Review-Journal on Tuesday that the multi-day deliberations were “clearly to the defense's advantage.”

Prosecutors' evidence against Telles included his own DNA found under German's fingernails, as well as surveillance footage and items found in his home that matched the attacker's clothing. Former Metropolitan Police Department detective Cliff Mogg testified about surveillance footage that police say shows Telles' Yukon Denali leaving his neighborhood on the morning of German's murder, driving through German's neighborhood and then driving back to Telles' home.

Draskovich portrayed Telles as a public official who wanted to expose corruption in the administration, while prosecutors tried to refute Telles' claim that he had been framed.

Telles testified before the jury last week that authorities and a disgruntled real estate company had framed him for German's killing.

He claimed he had dealt with independent executors in probate cases involving the property of people who had died in Clark County. He claimed the homes were being sold for profit, with no benefit to the families of the deceased, and he was “fighting” with Compass Realty & Management over the sales.

The company described its accusation as “unconscionable and irresponsible.”

A Metropolitan Police Department detective testified during the trial that he investigated allegations that Telles received kickbacks, but he found no evidence to continue the investigation. He also said the Clark County District Attorney's Office concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring charges in the alleged plot that Telles reported.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at [email protected] or 702-383-0240.