Former Las Vegas-area politician Robert Telles is on trial for the murder of investigative reporter Jeff German. Telles has pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming he was framed for the crime and that the police mishandled the investigation. The defense team has highlighted a police detective as a key part of Telles’ defense, stating that the detective implicated Telles in the murder by inserting himself into the case and trying to dictate its direction.
The detective in question, Derek Jappe, who investigates cases of public official corruption, testified that he was called in to help arrest Telles due to his training in crisis negotiations. Jappe had previously investigated allegations of financial crimes within Telles’ office, but found no evidence of wrongdoing on Telles’ part. Telles’ lawyers have been presenting the defense that their client has requested, with the possibility of Jappe returning to the stand for further testimony by the defense.
The murder of Jeff German in September 2022 shocked the Las Vegas community and the journalism world. German, a veteran reporter who covered Las Vegas mobsters and public officials, was found slashed and stabbed to death in his home. Prosecutors allege that articles critical of Telles written by German provided a motive for the killing, and that German was working on another story at the time of his death. The trial began with testimony from forensic scientists who found Telles’ DNA beneath the victim’s fingernails and presented video evidence of a suspect driving through German’s neighborhood in a maroon SUV, similar to one seen at Telles’ home.
Despite the evidence presented by the prosecution, Telles maintains his innocence and plans to testify in his defense. German’s family members have attended the trial but have not spoken publicly about the killing. If convicted, Telles faces life in prison, as prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. The trial is expected to continue with further testimony and evidence in the coming days, as both the prosecution and defense present their cases in the courtroom.
The high-profile nature of the case, involving a prominent politician and a respected journalist, has drawn significant attention in Las Vegas and beyond. The outcome of the trial will have lasting implications for both the Telles family and the legacy of Jeff German in the journalism community. As the trial progresses, the focus will be on the testimony of key witnesses and the presentation of evidence that will ultimately determine Telles’ fate in the murder case.
