Arraignment proceedings commenced for Robert Telles, a former Las Vegas-area administrator of estates, accused of killing investigative journalist Jeff German. Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on Monday.
Jury selection is scheduled to commence on Monday for Robert Telles, a former Democratic Clark County administrator of estates, charged with murdering Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German. Telles has been in custody since his arrest in September 2022, shortly after German was found stabbed and slashed to death outside his home over Labor Day weekend.
German, a 69-year-old veteran reporter, became the only journalist killed in the U.S. among at least 67 news media workers slain worldwide in 2022. His death sent shockwaves through the Las Vegas community and the journalism industry.
Las Vegas Official Charged in Murder of Investigative Journalist Faces Arraignment
Prosecutors allege that Telles was motivated to kill German by articles he wrote in early 2022 critical of Telles and a county office he oversaw. German was known for his in-depth reporting on organized crime, government corruption, and political scandals.
Telles, 47, was arrested after police released video footage of a person matching his description and driving a vehicle like one he owned. Investigators also found DNA believed to belong to Telles beneath German's fingernails and pieces of a straw hat and shoes at Telles' house that resembled those worn by the person in the video.
Las Vegas Official Charged in Murder of Investigative Journalist Faces Arraignment
Telles has pleaded not guilty to open murder charges and faces life in prison if convicted. He has asserted his innocence and has attempted to have the case dismissed, alleging illegal detention and the improper withholding of evidence.
However, Judge Michelle Leavitt has rejected previous requests to dismiss the case. Telles has hired and fired multiple attorneys and even served as his own defense lawyer, complicating the pretrial proceedings.
Las Vegas Official Charged in Murder of Investigative Journalist Faces Arraignment
Jury selection is expected to take several days, and testimony in the trial is anticipated to last less than two weeks. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.
Telles has expressed his desire for a speedy trial, but the proceedings have been delayed by various legal challenges, including a battle over the disclosure of confidential sources on German's electronic devices.
Las Vegas Official Charged in Murder of Investigative Journalist Faces Arraignment
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has argued that the names and unpublished material are protected from disclosure by the First Amendment and Nevada law. The state Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the newspaper, and the devices will be reviewed by the Review-Journal and its attorneys before being handed over to investigators and attorneys.
Telles has also requested a ruling to exclude testimony about a hostile workplace and a pending discrimination lawsuit against him and Clark County. The judge has yet to issue a decision on this matter.
The trial is set to commence against a backdrop of heightened attention and scrutiny surrounding the murder of a respected journalist. The outcome will be closely watched by the Las Vegas community and the journalism profession, which has faced increasing threats and violence in recent years.
