Closing arguments in trial of Democratic politician accused of killing Las Vegas journalist

Jury deliberations have begun in the trial of a Democratic politician from Las Vegas. He is accused of killing an investigative journalist who had written critical articles about the politician.

Robert Telles, 47, who is on trial for the killing of Jeff German in 2022, faced tough questioning during cross-examination Thursday when prosecutor Pamela Weckerly surprisingly showed him a text message from his wife that had disappeared from his phone.

Telles maintained his innocence throughout his testimony, claiming that office colleagues, real estate agents, business owners and police tried to frame him for German's murder in retaliation for his rigorous fight against corruption, which he brought to light as head of an obscure office dealing with unclaimed property.

Former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, accused of murdering investigative reporter Jeff German, enters a plea in court during a hearing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal, File)

“I'm not the type of person who would stab someone. I did not kill Mr. German,” Telles said. “And that's my statement.”

Telles had already lost his Democratic primary for a second term after German published his first series of articles for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in May 2022. They described unrest and bullying at Telles' workplace, as well as an affair between Telles and a co-worker.

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The day before German was stabbed, Telles learned that Clark County authorities were about to provide German with the emails and text messages exchanged between Telles and the woman in response to the reporter's public records request.

“The murder occurred the very next day … about 15 hours later,” prosecutor Pamela Weckerly said as she presented the jury with a timeline and videos of Telles' maroon SUV leaving the neighborhood near his home shortly after 9 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2022, and driving on streets near German's home a short time later.

Robert Telles is sworn into the witness stand on the eighth day of his murder trial at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

The driver of the SUV was seen wearing a bright orange outfit that resembled that of a person caught on camera walking toward German's house and disappearing into a side yard.

“This person stays and lurks,” Weckerly said, replaying a video from a neighbor's house showing German's garage door open and walk into the side yard, where he is attacked.

About two minutes later, a figure in orange appears walking along a sidewalk. German does not reappear.

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The prosecutor said the evidence showed the murder was premeditated, deliberate and premeditated. Although the prosecution did not possess the murder weapon, the evidence clearly indicated one was used.

German's body was found the next day and Telles' DNA was found under German's fingernails. When asked about the DNA, Telles said he believed it had been planted.

The jury heard of cut-up pieces of a broad straw hat and a grey trainer found in Telles' house that were similar to those worn by the person wearing the orange shirt, which was never found.

Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles (right) speaks with Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in his office in Las Vegas on May 11, 2022. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, file)

“You are the only ones who will judge the facts,” Draskovich told the jury in his closing argument before the jury was reduced to 12 people, took a lunch break and began deliberating shortly before 2 p.m. on whether everyone involved believes Telles murdered German.

Telles' testimony on Friday came on what would have been German's 71st birthday. The Milwaukee native was a respected journalist who covered crime, courts and corruption in Las Vegas for 44 years.

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Telles is an attorney who practiced civil law before being elected in 2018. His license to practice law was revoked following his arrest a few days after German's murder. If found guilty, he faces life in prison.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.