Former Democratic Clark County Administrator of Estates Robert Telles, on trial for the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German, contested DNA evidence presented against him and offered a vague alibi, while a newly unearthed text message cast doubt on his whereabouts at the time of the killing.
In the ongoing murder trial of former Las Vegas Democratic politician Robert Telles, the whereabouts of the defendant around the time of the brutal stabbing death of veteran investigative journalist Jeff German remains a crucial question. A newly revealed text message has added further mystery to Telles' alibi as he continues to deny his involvement and dispute DNA evidence linking him to the crime.
Ex-Las Vegas Politician Contests DNA Evidence in Journalist's Murder Trial
Telles, 47, has pleaded innocence and contested the significance of genetic material extracted from beneath German's fingernails. However, the prosecution has vehemently maintained that this DNA evidence, combined with other corroborating factors, firmly implicates the defendant in the journalist's demise.
During cross-examination on Thursday, Telles was confronted with a surprise text message from his wife, which had mysteriously vanished from his phone but was later recovered from her Apple Watch device. The message, sent at 10:30 a.m. on September 2, 2022, the day of German's murder, inquired about his whereabouts.
Ex-Las Vegas Politician Contests DNA Evidence in Journalist's Murder Trial
Telles initially claimed to have ignored numerous messages that day while at home. He later admitted to going for a walk and visiting a gym, but prosecutors implied that he might have left his phone behind to facilitate an undetected attack on the journalist.
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner pointed out that security footage captured a maroon SUV, similar to one owned by Telles, in German's neighborhood at approximately the time the text message was sent. The person driving the vehicle wore an orange outfit and a wide-brimmed straw hat, matching the attire of the assailant seen on video footage near German's home.
Ex-Las Vegas Politician Contests DNA Evidence in Journalist's Murder Trial
Telles maintained that a professional assassin was responsible for German's death. He accused a real estate firm of conspiring to frame him as retaliation for his efforts to combat corruption within his office.
German was found brutally stabbed to death in a side yard outside his residence. Telles was detained days later when police publicized a video depicting an individual fitting his description approaching German's home.
Ex-Las Vegas Politician Contests DNA Evidence in Journalist's Murder Trial
Prosecutors have presented substantial evidence, including Telles' DNA, which they believe was found beneath German's fingernails during a post-mortem examination. They also introduced pieces of a straw hat and shoes resembling those worn by the suspect in the video, which were allegedly discovered at Telles' residence.
Telles acknowledged the presence of his DNA but insinuated that it may have been planted. He also questioned the motive of the alleged conspirators, wondering why they would omit the murder weapon and orange work shirt from the crime scene.
Ex-Las Vegas Politician Contests DNA Evidence in Journalist's Murder Trial
The trial took an unexpected turn when images taken from Telles' phone and computer revealed hundreds of photos of German's home and neighborhood. Investigators also found a photograph on his work computer containing German's personal information and images of a gray athletic shoe and his straw hat.
The prosecution argued that these images demonstrated a premeditated plan, suggesting that Telles carefully surveilled his victim. The defense countered by emphasizing that the shoe in the photograph did not match the one worn by the assailant in the video footage.
Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled for Monday, two weeks after jury selection began. The outcome of this high-profile case hinges on the jury's interpretation of the evidence presented and their assessment of Telles' credibility and alibi.
