Jury rules that Robert Telles should serve life in prison for the murder of Jeff German

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — After the jury returned a guilty verdict in the murder trial of Robert Telles, the court moved on to the sentencing phase of the trial.

The jury decided that Robert Telles should serve a life sentence for the murder of Jeff German, with the possibility of parole after at least 20 years.

WATCH | The jury announces its decision to Robert Telles and the court.

Jury sentences Robert Telles to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 20 years

Starting at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, character witnesses spoke in court on behalf of Jeff German and Robert Telles.

The state called on German's family members. His brother Jay German and his sisters Jill Zwerg and Julie Smith spoke about Jeff's character and memory.

Statement by Jeff German's family during sentencing proceedings in the murder trial of Robert Telles

The defense called wife Mary Ann Ismael, ex-wife Tonia Burton and mother Rosalinda Anaya. All three women expressed in one form or another their wish that Telles could still make memories with his family.

Statement by Robert Telles’ family in the sentencing proceedings against him

The jury will be asked to choose between three sentencing options: life without parole, life with parole after a minimum of 20 years, or 50 years in prison with the minimum possibility of parole after 20 years.

After a short break, the jury returned to the courtroom to hear closing statements from the prosecution and defense before deciding on a sentence.

Defense attorney Robert Draskovich asks the jury to pay special attention to Jury Instruction 4, which outlines the sentencing options for this charge.

Draskovich says these are “two devastated families” and “both families have suffered trauma.”

“Most cultures have this idea of ​​retribution. I'd like to tell you that as a society we've moved beyond this idea of ​​an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. We end up with no eyes and no teeth,” he said. “For justice to be justice, there has to be an element of mercy. A person has to pay for it… but at the same time, there has to be this element of hope.”

He argues that life imprisonment without parole is not the appropriate punishment for Telles.

Draskovich asked the jury to show mercy to Telles because he has no criminal past and is a “hands-on” father.

WATCH | Robert Draskovich's full comments to the jury:

Robert Telles' attorney speaks to the jury during the sentencing phase of the murder trial

Prosecutor Chris Hamner refuted the arguments after Draskovich reached his conclusion.

“We are here because of the actions of one person: the defendant,” Hamner said. “He has had a ripple effect on his family and on Jeff's [family].”

As for retribution, Hamner says jurors should keep in mind that German's killing was an act of retaliation. He argues life imprisonment is an appropriate sentence, but says the jury must decide whether or not Telles has the possibility of parole.

Hamner asks the jury to consider the people Telles said he felt treated him unfairly and to determine whether his release would pose a danger to them.

“If he really believes that all these people did something to him, then there is a risk that something like this could happen again. That should be taken into consideration,” says Hamner.

He adds that the circumstances of German's murder and the person involved cannot be ignored.

“The state doesn't believe we should ignore the fact that here was literally a journalist who wrote a story or a series of stories and lost his life in the process,” Hamner says. “This is a pretty serious thing. This kind of thing doesn't happen very often and should be considered, which is why we believe a life sentence is appropriate.”

WATCH | Christopher Hamner's full comments to the jury:

Prosecutor Christopher Hamner speaks to the jury during the sentencing phase of the murder trial of Robert Telles

The official verdict is scheduled for October 16 at 8:30 a.m.