Telles takes the witness stand on the eighth day of the trial

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The eighth day of the murder trial against Robert Telles ended Wednesday with the defendant's testimony lasting more than an hour.

Telles is the former Clark County public administrator who is accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal journalist Jeff German nearly two years ago.

The testimony began with cell phone data expert Robert Aguero.

Aguero testified to the results of the analysis of Telles' phone, a Google Pixel device.

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He told jurors that there was no location data on Telles' phone in August.

Aguero also said that Telles' phone did not transmit a signal near or at German's home on the day of German's murder.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Christopher Hamner pointed out that there were no outgoing text messages or calls between 8:48 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. on September 2, 2022, the day German was killed.

The next witness was estate administrator Nichole Lofton, who worked with Telles in the public administrator's office.

Lofton testified that he had seen the video of the suspect released by police and believed the gait was not Telles' gait.

She said Telles did not seem angry or upset about the articles German had written about him, and she knew nothing of a maroon Yukon Denali.

The defense's next witness was Terrence Jamison, a manager of Planet Fitness in Charleston and Fort Apache.

Jamison testified that Telles signed up at her gym at 12:09 p.m. on September 2, 2022, but Jamison said it was unclear whether Telles signed up through an app on his phone or in person.

A juror asked if there was any security camera footage from that day, but Jamison said no footage was available because the footage was taken so long ago.

At around 3:30 p.m., Telles took the witness stand.

“I've waited two years for this day,” Telles said. “I did not kill Mr. German.”

Telles appeared nervous and even admitted to the jury that he was nervous.

Robert Draskovich, Telles' lawyer, said in court that his client would give his testimony in the form of a report of events.

He began by telling the jury about his background, explaining that after high school he worked at a computer store.

WATCH Telles' full statement from Wednesday here:

FULL STATEMENT: Robert Telles testifies in his own murder trial

Telles then told jurors that during his time as a public administrator, he tried to uncover alleged bribery cases involving a real estate group called Compass Realty.

Hamner raised objections nearly a dozen times, citing “hearsay” and “false opinions.”

Judge Michelle Leavitt even admonished Telles to stick to the facts.

“Your opinion is not relevant in this case,” Leavitt said.

Telles' testimony is expected to continue Thursday morning.

Legal experts told Channel 13 that now that Telles has taken the stand, he cannot invoke the Fifth Amendment and prosecutors can ask him any questions they want during cross-examination.

If convicted, Telles could spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.