Watch Live: Murder trial continues for Robert Telles, politician charged in Las Vegas journalist's death
CBSAUG 13 2024
Former Clark County, Nevada, Public Administrator Robert Telles was found guilty of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German, 69, who had written stories critical of the politician. Telles was sentenced to life in prison with possible parole after 20 years.
German, who was stabbed to death outside his home in September 2022, had investigated Telles for months over allegations surrounding an abusive workplace environment and an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Telles lost his Democratic Primary election months before the murder, reasons for which included German's articles.
The jury made their decision after a two-week trial and two days of deliberations. They heard testimony from forensics experts, detectives, and people who knew Telles, as well as video footage of the killer wearing a straw hat and sneakers outside German's house.
Jeff German spent decades reporting on mobsters and government corruption, but never before had someone tried to kill him. It wasn't until a cowardly politician named Robert Telles, who was unable to accept responsibility for his failed political career, chose to commit a revenge killing because German exposed the skeletons in his closet. While German will be missed, this conviction has brought justice for him and all journalists who bravely speak truth to power.
While Telles' defense argument is certainly a stretch, he did name several people, as well as a real estate firm, who could have had a motive to frame him for this murder. Even when police do their best to follow the truth, there have been cases of manipulated evidence leading investigators to pin violent crimes on the wrong people. Telles lost his argument, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't believe anyone who claims to have been set up.