Robert Telles Convicted for Murder of Investigative Reporter Jeff German

Former Nevada politician Robert Telles has been found guilty of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German, marking a chilling end to a case that has sent shockwaves through the journalism community.

At a Glance

Robert Telles, 47, convicted of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German
German, 69, was killed outside his home in September 2022 after publishing critical articles about Telles’s conduct in office
DNA evidence and surveillance footage played crucial roles in the prosecution’s case
The verdict raises concerns about press freedom and the safety of local journalists in the U.S.
Telles faces up to life in prison, with sentencing pending

A Shocking Murder Shakes Las Vegas

In a case that has gripped Las Vegas and the journalism world, former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal stabbing death of veteran investigative reporter Jeff German. The verdict, delivered after two days of jury deliberation, brings to a close a trial that has highlighted the dangers faced by journalists who dare to speak truth to power.

German, 69, was found dead outside his Nevada home in September 2022, having been stabbed seven times. The murder sent shockwaves through the community and raised alarm bells about the safety of journalists across the nation. Prosecutors argued that Telles, 47, had killed German in retaliation for a series of damaging articles the reporter had written about Telles’s behavior in office.

The jury in the trial of Robert Telles found the former Clark County, Nevada, elected official guilty of murder in the death of investigative reporter Jeff German on Wednesday. https://t.co/aXbcFt4n7f pic.twitter.com/3vsyphW0o6

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2024

A Trail of Evidence

The prosecution’s case against Telles was built on a foundation of DNA evidence and damning surveillance footage. DNA found under German’s fingernails was linked to Telles, suggesting a violent struggle had taken place. Security camera footage showed an assailant wearing a distinctive straw hat and sneakers outside German’s home on the day of the murder. Similar items were later found cut up at Telles’s residence, further implicating the former politician.

“The jury hit the ball out of the park this time,” said Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. “They hit a home run by getting the right verdict.”

Despite Telles’s claims of innocence and his defense team’s arguments that he had been framed, the jury found the evidence overwhelming. The trial, which lasted two weeks and featured testimony from dozens of witnesses, painted a picture of a man driven to violence by the exposure of his misdeeds.

BREAKING: Robert Telles, an ex-politician, is found guilty in the murder of Jeff German, a Las Vegas reporter who wrote articles critical of him. https://t.co/zUQgDqaXOL

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 28, 2024

A Legacy of Truth-Telling

Jeff German was more than just a reporter; he was a veteran journalist with over four decades of experience, known for his hard-hitting investigations into corruption and criminal activities. His series of articles on Telles alleged an inappropriate relationship and hostile behavior in the public administrator’s office, ultimately contributing to Telles losing his primary bid for a second term.

“Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job,” said Glenn Cook, executive editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Robert Telles could have joined the long line of publicly shamed Nevada politicians who’ve gone on with their lives, out of the spotlight or back in it. Instead, he carried out a premeditated revenge killing with terrifying savagery.”

The conviction of Telles serves as a stark reminder of the vital role that investigative journalism plays in our democracy and the very real dangers that reporters face in pursuit of the truth. As we reflect on this tragedy, we must recommit ourselves to protecting the freedom of the press and ensuring that those who seek to silence journalists through violence are brought to justice.