A Nevada jury convicted former county employee Robert Tellez on Wednesday of the 2022 murder of a Las Vegas journalist who wrote an article critical of the former politician.
According to the Associated Press, jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours after hearing evidence in the trial connected to the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, which began on Aug. 12. Telles was arrested as a suspect in the case days after German was found stabbed to death over Labor Day weekend in 2022.
Telles, 47, was sentenced by a jury late Wednesday to life in prison with 20 years of parole eligibility for the murder of the journalist.
A few months before his death, Germany Wrote an article Employees reported their experiences with former Clark County Executive Telles, reporting complaints of managerial bullying, favoritism and romantic relationships with other employees in Telles' office.
Terres lost the June 2022 primary election shortly after Gelman's reports surfaced. According to the Associated Press, prosecutors made their case to jurors by highlighting how Gelman fought off her assailants and suggesting that Terres was responsible for the damage to his career.
In his closing arguments, prosecutor Christopher Hamner highlighted evidence the prosecution has already presented to the jury, including DNA found under Gelman's fingernails that matched Telles's, according to the Associated Press. The prosecution also presented other evidence, including that Telles' SUV had apparently left the home that day and was then seen driving down a road near Gelman's home.
Telles testified last week that he is innocent and did not kill German.
“I did not kill Mr. German,” Telles said, according to the Associated Press. “It is my right to share my views with you all, and it is your right to decide whether you agree with my views or not, whether you doubt my views or not. I just hope that I will not be stopped from sharing with you what I have to say.”
His lawyer, Robert Draskovich, said Telles would appeal, according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed.
