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Nevada Politician Formally Indicted In Las Vegas Journalist's Murder
Prosecutors must still decide whether Robert Telles could face the death penalty if convicted in the allegedly premeditated fatal stabbing of Las Vegas investigative reporter Jeff German.
A Las Vegas politician accused of killing a prominent investigative journalist who had scrutinized his conduct has been indicted on murder charges.
Robert Telles, 45, was indicted on charges of murder with use of a deadly weapon on a victim 60 years or older in the fatal stabbing of 69-year-old Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German. The charges were filed on Thursday, according to a copy of the indictment obtained by Oxygen.com.
Prosecutors characterized German’s murder as “premeditated” and have accused Telles of “lying in wait.” Telles, who has been stripped of his title as Clark County Administrator, now faces the possible prospect of life in prison if convicted of German’s murder.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson hasn’t yet indicated whether he’ll seek the death penalty. A decision in the matter is expected in the coming weeks.
German was found suffering from multiple stab wounds outside his home on Sept. 2, according to a criminal complaint previously obtained by Oxygen.com. He died of “multiple sharp force injuries,” according to the Clark County Coroner. Telles was arrested on Sept. 7.
Prosecutors said forensic evidence strongly links Telles to German’s slaying. DNA, which officials suspect belongs to Telles, was found underneath German’s fingernails.
In the case’s early stages, authorities released screen grabs of surveillance images of German’s suspected assailant — now believed to be the county politician — which showed an individual dressed in a long-sleeved orange reflective shirt and a straw hat. Prosecutors say a vehicle matching Telles’ was also captured in the vicinity of German’s home on the night he was killed.
Prior to German’s death, the “tenacious” Nevada reporter had published a number of highly critical stories related to Telles’ professional conduct. German was hired by the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2010, according to the newspaper.
Telles, a Democrat who was elected in 2018, lost the party primary in June. His office oversaw the assets of deceased residents who don’t have an active will or relatives. Clark County officials said his access to the county office and property has been suspended pending his approaching murder trial.
Telles’ law license has also been suspended by the state bar amid a probe into accusations he misused client funds, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Telles has a court hearing Wednesday, online records show. He's being held at a Clark County detention center without bond. Edward Kane, a public defender representing Telles, wasn’t immediately available for comment when contacted by Oxygen.com on Monday afternoon.
