Former Las Vegas-area Democratic Rep. Robert Telles was sentenced Wednesday to at least 28 years in a Nevada state prison for the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German. Two years ago, a Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter wrote an article criticizing Mr. Telles’ conduct during his tenure and exposing his intimate relationships with female colleagues.
The judge increased the sentence, taking into account factors such as the use of a deadly weapon, the ambush and the reporter’s age, adding eight years to the 20-year minimum sentence set by a jury in August after Telles was found guilty of murder. Added.
CBS affiliate KLAS-TV reported that Telles addressed German’s family during the sentencing, offering his condolences but still maintaining his innocence.
Telles, 47, testified for the defense and denied stabbing German to death in September 2022. But the evidence against him was strong, including his DNA found under German’s fingernails.
At the time, Telles was elected administrator of the county office, which handles unclaimed real estate and probate cases. He was arrested days after the attack and has been jailed without bail ever since.
Telles’ attorney, Robert Draskovich, said Telles plans to appeal the conviction.
Robert Telles (center) stands flanked by attorneys Robert Draskovich (left) and Michael Horvath during his murder trial at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on August 23, 2024. KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Pool/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Mr. German is 69 years old. He was a respected reporter who covered crime, courts and corruption in Las Vegas for 44 years.
After Jarman reported in May and June 2022 about chaos and bullying at the Clark County Administrator/Conservator’s office, as well as a romantic relationship between Telles and a female employee, Telles ran for a second term in the primary. I missed the election. After his arrest, his law license was suspended.
Police are looking to the public to identify a person seen on neighborhood security video walking in a maroon SUV wearing a wide straw hat that hides his face and an oversized orange long-sleeved shirt. requested support. Prosecutor Pamela Weckerly showed footage of the scene where a person wearing orange clothing slipped into the garden, stabbed and slashed Mr Jarman and left him there.
Police found a maroon SUV at Telles’ home, as well as pieces of a straw hat and gray sneakers similar to those worn by the person seen in the neighbor’s video. Authorities did not find the orange long-sleeved shirt or the murder weapon.
Telles took the stand in his own defense, but was unable to explain some of the disguises found on his property or his DNA found on German.
Mr. Telles gave a rambling testimony for several hours, acknowledging for the first time that the reports of an internal romance were true. He denied killing the German nationals and said he was “framed” by a broader conspiracy involving real estate companies, police, DNA analysts and former colleagues. He told the jury he had become a victim of a campaign to root out corruption.
“I’m not the kind of person who would stab someone. I didn’t kill Mr. German,” Telles said. “And that is my testimony.”
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner said Telles accused German of destroying his career, damaging his reputation and threatening his marriage.
Telles told the jury that German was taking a walk and going to the gym at the time of her murder. However, evidence showed that around the same time as the murder, Telles’ wife sent him a text message asking, “Where are you?” Prosecutors said Telles left his cellphone at home to avoid being tracked.
The jury deliberated nearly 12 hours over three days before finding Telles guilty. The committee heard harrowing sentencing hearing testimony from Mr. German’s brother and two sisters, as well as emotional pleas for leniency from Mr. Telles’ wife, ex-wife and mother, after which Mr. Telles It was determined that he may be eligible for parole.
Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt could add up to eight years in prison to Mr. Telles’ sentence for using a deadly weapon in intentional, premeditated and premeditated murder. Because the Germans were over 60 years old. and for being in ambush before the attack.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he was “hopeful and confident” the judge would impose a sentence that could keep Telles in prison for the rest of his life.
A Democratic district attorney said, “This defendant has shown no remorse or acknowledged responsibility.” “And in fact, his actions are so egregious that I believe he would be an extreme danger to the community if released.”
German was the only journalist killed in the United States in 2022, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The nonprofit organization has a record of 17 media workers killed in the United States since 1992.
Katherine Jacobsen, the commission’s U.S., Canada and Caribbean program coordinator, said in August that Telles’ conviction sent “an important message that the killing of journalists will not be tolerated.”
