Former Nevada politician, Robert Telles, was found guilty of killing journalist Jeff German in September 2022. Telles, who served as the Clark County public administrator, was accused of stabbing German to death after the reporter exposed corruption in Telles’ office. The story detailed a hostile work environment, including bullying and an alleged inappropriate relationship between Telles and a staffer, which resulted in the destruction of Telles’ political career and marriage. Telles pleaded not guilty to murder and faced the possibility of life in prison.
Police arrested Telles days after German’s death, citing DNA evidence found in Telles’ home that linked him to the crime scene. Surveillance footage showed Telles wearing a straw hat and sneakers that were ultimately found cut up in his home. Telles’ DNA was also found on German’s hands and fingernails. Chief Deputy District Attorney Pamela Weckerly emphasized that the case was about murder and not politics or workplace relationships. Telles maintained his innocence and claimed he was framed as part of a conspiracy by a real estate company he was investigating for alleged bribery.
During his trial, Telles took the stand and continued to assert his innocence, alleging that he was set up by Compass Realty in response to his investigations against them. However, Compass Realty owner Takumba Britt denied Telles’ claims, labeling him as a desperate man trying to escape accountability for German’s murder. Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson dismissed Telles’ conspiracy theories, stating that the only conspiracy was between Telles and his “evil mind.” Defense attorney Robert Draskovich echoed Telles’ claims of a conspiracy, attributing the murder to internal corruption within the public administrator’s office.
German’s murder was a significant event in 2022, as he was the only journalist killed in the United States that year. A total of at least 67 journalists were killed worldwide in 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo deemed the killing of a journalist as particularly troublesome and emphasized the importance of upholding journalism as an essential pillar of a democratic society. Las Vegas Review-Journal executive editor Glenn Cook recognized the guilty verdict as justice for German and condemned Telles for his premeditated act of revenge. German’s reporting had held an elected official accountable for misconduct and empowered voters to make informed decisions.
The jury’s verdict in Telles’ case was seen as a message that attempts to silence or intimidate journalists would not be tolerated. Clark County District Attorney Wolfson commended the jury for their work and emphasized the importance of ensuring a free and transparent press. Telles’ conviction served as a cautionary tale of the consequences of attempting to silence the media through violence. The trial highlighted the dangers faced by journalists around the world and the importance of upholding press freedom and accountability in society. Telles faced the prospect of life in prison for his role in German’s murder and the attempt to undermine the principles of journalism and democracy.
