Jury deliberations have begun in the trial of a Las Vegas Democratic politician accused of murdering an investigative journalist who was writing critical articles about officials.
Robert Telles, 47, who is on trial for the 2022 murder of Jeff German, faced tough questioning during cross-examination Thursday when prosecutor Pamela Weckerly presented his defense with surprising text messages from Telles’ wife that had disappeared from his phone.
Throughout his testimony, Telles maintained his innocence and alleged that his colleagues at the unnamed firm, real estate agents, business owners and police tried to frame him for German’s murder in retaliation for his efforts to root out corruption as head of the firm.
Former Clark County Executive Robert Tellez, who is accused of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German, argues 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 kind of person that would stab people. I didn’t kill Mr. German,” Telles said. “That’s my testimony.”
Teles had already lost his bid for a second term in the Democratic primary after Gelman wrote his first series for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in May 2022. The stories described chaos and bullying at Teles’ workplace, as well as an affair between Teles and a female employee.
Scott Peterson maintains his innocence while revealing theory behind wife’s murder
The day before German was stabbed to death, Telles learned that Clark County authorities were responding to a reporter’s public records request to provide German with emails and text messages that Telles and the woman had shared.
“The murder occurred the following day, approximately 15 hours later,” prosecutor Pamela Weckerly said, presenting jurors with a timeline and video showing Telles’ maroon SUV leaving a neighborhood near his home just after 9 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2022, and then driving down a road near German’s home shortly thereafter.
Robert Telles was sworn in on the witness stand during the eighth day of his murder trial, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via The Associated Press)
The driver of the SUV was wearing bright orange clothing similar to that worn by a person seen on camera walking up to Jarman’s home and slipping into the backyard.
“The person stays there and lies in wait,” Weckerly said, replaying a video from a neighbor’s home that shows German’s garage door rising and German entering the backyard where he was attacked.
About two minutes later, a figure in orange appears and walks off down the sidewalk. Jarman does not appear again.
‘Milk carton girl’ killer, failed gubernatorial candidate ‘provoked’ police for years: detective
Prosecutors said the evidence showed first-degree murder because the killing was deliberate and premeditated, and that although prosecutors did not have a murder weapon, it was clear from the evidence that one was used.
The next day, Jarman’s body was discovered and Terles’ DNA was found under Jarman’s fingernails. When asked about the DNA, Terles said he believed it was a plant.
Jurors heard about a wide straw hat and pieces of grey trainers found in Mr Telles’ home that were similar to those worn by someone wearing an orange shirt, which was never found.
Clark County Executive Robert Tellez, right, talks with Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in his office on May 11, 2022, in Las Vegas. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via The Associated Press, File)
“You are the sole judges of fact,” Draskovich told the jury in his closing argument, after which the jury was narrowed to 12 people, broke for lunch and then began deliberating just before 2 p.m. whether they all believe Telles killed German.
Telles’ testimony came on Friday on what would have been German’s 71st birthday. The Milwaukee native was a respected journalist who covered crime, trials and corruption in Las Vegas for 44 years.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Telles was a civil law lawyer before being elected in 2018. He was arrested days after German’s murder and had his law license suspended. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
