Telles found guilty in high-profile Las Vegas murder trial
Former politician found guilty, sentencing to begin at 1:30 p.m.
maylen
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A jury of five men and seven women have reached a verdict, having decided the fate of a former politician accused of killing a Las Vegas journalist.
The 11-day high-profile murder trial focused on former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, who is accused of the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German. German had been investigating turmoil in the Public Administrator’s office.
On Monday afternoon, the jury made two requests. One request was for more paper, and the other was to know how to zoom in on video evidence. Someone familiar with the tech assisted the jury in the process. After deliberating for four hours and eleven minutes, the jury went home just before 6 p.m. Monday. They will continue working toward a verdict again on Tuesday.
Day Two Of Jury Deliberations
Around 11:30 a.m., the jury requested another laptop to evaluate digital evidence. With no objections, a court officer was designated to take the additional equipment to the jury. The jury also requested a side-by-side comparison of Telles’s gait and that of the suspect captured on surveillance video used in the prosecution’s closing arguments, alongside video from Jeff German’s Las Vegas Review-Journal story shown during the trial. They were referred to the jury instructions, indicating that they would need to find what they were looking for as it was provided in the evidence.
The jury chose to have lunch on Tuesday while deliberating rather than take a break for lunch, according to 8 News Now Investigators sources.
Just before 4:30 p.m., after nearly six hours, the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court officials reported that the jury was headed home and was scheduled to return at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday to continue their deliberation. As of Tuesday afternoon, they had spent approximately 11 hours deliberating the case.
Day Three Of Jury Deliberations
The last juror arrived just after 8:45 a.m. and began deliberating just before 9 a.m on day 13 of the trial. Just after 10:30 a.m., word was received that the jury had reached a verdict. It is scheduled to be read at noon.
Judge Michelle Leavitt brought the jury panel into the courtroom just after noon. Juror number two was chosen as the foreperson. Robert Telles was then found guilty on all counts by a unanimous jury.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson thanked the jury for their time, saying they arrived at the correct verdict. He acknowledged the family of Jeff German and the attorneys on both sides, saying they did a great job and drawing special attention to Chris Hamner and Pam Weckerly. The jury still had decisions to make, Wolfson said, as the sentencing process of the trial was expected to begin around 1:30 p.m.
A statement from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the newspaper by which German was employed at the time of his murder, was released shortly after the verdict was read.
Today a Clark County jury delivered a measure of justice for Jeff German, and we hope it brings some solace to his family, friends and colleagues. Jeff was killed for doing the kind of work in which he took great pride: His reporting held an elected official accountable for bad behavior and empowered voters to choose someone else for the job.
Robert Telles could have joined the long line of publicly shamed Nevada politicians who’ve gone on with their lives, out of the spotlight or back in it. Instead, he carried out a premeditated revenge killing with terrifying savagery.
Today also brought a measure of justice for slain journalists all over the world. Our jobs are increasingly risky and sometimes dangerous. In many countries, the killers of journalists go unpunished. Not so in Las Vegas. Our thanks to police and prosecutors, whose diligent work won this conviction.
Let’s also remember that this community has lost much more than a trusted journalist. Jeff was a good man who left behind a family who loved him and friends who cherished him. His murder remains an outrage. He is missed.
Glenn Cook, Executive Editor, Las Vegas Review-Journal
The trial contrasted two conflicting narratives. The defense, headed by attorney Robert Draskovich, focused on potential human error by law enforcement. At the same time, Telles, who took the stand on his own behalf, painted a picture of a more broad conspiracy that saw him as a victim framed for German’s murder. The prosecution emphasized the former politician’s motive and anger towards German’s reporting, citing digital and forensic evidence found by investigators. Each side attempted to sway the jury based on their evidence.
The Trial of Robert Telles: Day One
Telles and his representation faced 60 perspective jurors, all questioned about their views on the criminal justice system, beliefs about the death penalty, and even their personal connections to Telles. Meanwhile, files from German’s electronic devices, which were reviewed for privileged information, were handed over to the court on the same day.
Day Two
Prospective jurors continued to be questioned about their views on the justice system and potential biases. Topics included excuses would-be jurors believed would prevent them from serving and skepticism over the fairness of the judicial system. By the end of the day, a final jury of seven men and seven women was selected as attorneys prepared for opening statements and testimonies.
Day Three
Chief Deputy District Attorney Pam Weckerly gives her opening statement at the murder trial of Robert Telles. (KLAS) 
Former Nevada politician Robert Telles is accused of killing Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German. (KLAS) 
Attorneys Robert Draskovich (on left) and Michael Horvath represent Robert Telles (on right) at his murder trial. (KLAS)
The prosecution and defense both delivered their opening arguments. Chief Deputy District Attorney Pam Weckerly recapped the investigation, telling the jury that neighbors and friends were concerned about German before he was found dead. Weckerly portrayed the perpetrator, Telles, as they would argue, as lying in wait for German. Autopsy photos were shown to the jury.
Weckerly said the trial was “just about murder” and not about politics, who was a good boss, or otherwise
Defense attorney Robert Draskovich delivered the opening arguments, painting a picture of “strange behavior” from Las Vegas Metropolitan police and Detective Derek Jappe, who he argued “inserted himself” into the murder case. He addressed an “old guard,” a concept that would reoccur during the trial’s 11 days in the public administrator’s office, that seemed to be out to get Telles. Draskovich said that Telles “upset the apple cart.”
“Losing a job is not a motive for murder,” Draskovich said, adding that, “We all know killing a journalist does not kill a story.”
The prosecution called German’s neighbors Holly and Roy Bailey and Debbie Ryan. The Baileys were the ones who found German’s body. In tearful testimony, they recounted the investigative reporter’s suspicious open garage door and discovering German dead outside his home.
Several law enforcement officials were then called, including Claire Browning and Stephanie Smissen, senior crime analysts for the LVMPD, and Jamie Loos, the director of the public information office for the LVMPD. They provided insight into the crime scene investigation, while retired detective Cliff Mogg detailed his efforts to obtain surveillance video from the perimeter of the crime scene area.
Day Four
Several key witnesses were called to testify as the trial of Robert Telles continued. Cliff Mogg was cross-examined regarding the video evidence of the red Yukon, while Dr. Stephanie Yagi, a forensic pathologist, testified about Jeff German’s autopsy, speaking about his fatal stab wounds and potential defensive injuries.
Jennifer Manning, a crime scene analyst, discussed evidence that was collected detailing Telles’ clothing. Detectives Edgar Nahum, James Milligan, and John Hoffman described searching Telles’ home and finding items like a cut-up hat and a shoe.
Day Five
Forensic evidence was presented by the prosecution, aiming to link Telles to German’s killing. Forensic scientists detailed the mixture of DNA profiles found under German’s fingernails, one of which matched Telles. The defense questioned the reliability of those findings, suggesting that those samples may have been contaminated.
Defense attorney Draskovich challenged the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation, suggesting that lapses in crime scene management may have led to errors in the evidence handling. He also highlighted inconsistencies in witness testimonies pointing to alleged procedural errors in forensic analysis. Testimony for a patrol officer and detective on the investigation timeline and Telles’ behavior before his arrest rounded out day five of the trial.
Day Six
A series of texts primarily between Robert Telles and Roberta Lee-Kennett, his employee. The texts discussed similarities between Telles vehicle and the vehicle captured on video near Jeff German’s home on the day of the killing. 
A series of texts primarily between Robert Telles and Roberta Lee-Kennett, his employee. The texts discussed similarities between Telles vehicle and the vehicle captured on video near Jeff German’s home on the day of the killing.
The prosecution continued to build its case, presenting testimony from law enforcement and forensics experts. An undercover surveillance detective tasked with monitoring Telles recalled his experience before forensic analysts detailed evidence handling at the crime scene. Searches from Telles’ phone and work computer were shown to the jury, including German’s address and images from the crime scene.
The defense questioned the accuracy and handling of both digital and physical evidence. Brought to light was the misclassification of vital body camera video that led to its deletion. The detective in charge of the investigation detailed her team’s approach. The day concluded as the prosecution rested its case, satisfied that it had linked Telles to German’s death through forensic and digital evidence.
Day Seven
In its first witness, the defense called a clinical psychologist who testified about the psychological stress faced by those who are accused of severe crimes. He made the point that a suicide attempt does not necessarily indicate guilt. Another witness recounted seeing a person dressed similarly to the suspect near Bruce Trent Park.
The day concluded earlier than expected due to a delay in one witness’s testimony, recessing after only two hours of testimony.
Day Eight
A cellphone forensics expert testified about Telles’ phone activity, detailing the limitations of location data. It was suggested that a phone’s location data could be manipulated by a suspect simply leaving it behind and going somewhere. Another witness testified about the dynamics in the Public Administrator’s office, denying that Telles’ had shown any anger over German’s articles. A gym manager presented a potential alibi for Telles in the form of a gym check-in sheet. However, prosecutors cast doubt on the evidence, highlighting the lack of differentiation between remote and in-person check-ins.
Telles himself took the stand, testifying by narrative, something sources say could happen if a defense attorney feels uncomfortable or concerned about that defendant’s testimony. Telles boldly proclaimed his innocence, saying he had been framed due to his opposition to Compass Realty, describing his allegations against the company.
Day Nine
Telles continued his testimony, emphasizing his belief that he was framed for German’s murder. He said that he believed many pieces of digital evidence were planted, adding that the murderer seemed to be a professional, something that he, a non-combat-trained politician, was not.
Upon cross-examination, Prosecutor Chris Hamner challenged Telles’ assertions of a conspiracy, questioning the former politicians’ inconsistencies in his narrative. Telles maintained the evidence was part of a broader effort to frame him.
Toward the end of Hamner’s cross-examination, a photograph of an Apple Watch was presented as evidence, depicting a message that did not appear on Telles’ phone but on his wife’s watch. The message said, “Where are you?” and seemed to have been sent at the time that a vehicle matching the description of Telles’ red Yukon was spotted in German’s neighborhood and the investigative reporter was killed.
Day 10
Several key witnesses, including Cliff Mogg and Matthew Hovanec, were called back to the stand and focused on text messages and digital metadata. Hovanec revealed that a recipe for chicken fried rice was not found on Telles’ phone, which the former politician had claimed to have been cooking when he cut his finger. Prosecutors told the jury they believed Telles cut his finger while committing the murder.
During his continued testimony, Telles reiterated his belief that he was being framed for German’s murder, alleging various conspiracies involving law enforcement and Compass Realty. He attempted to undermine the prosecution’s digital and forensic evidence, suggesting that these were part of a setup to implicate him falsely.
Prosecutors, for their part, challenged Telles’ claims, focusing on inconsistencies in Telles’ stories and the broad nature of the alleged conspiracy. The defense rested its case, setting the stage for the trial to move toward closing arguments.
Day 11
Defense attorney Robert Draskovich giving closing arguments during the Robert Telles murder trial. 
Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner talks about Robert Telles alleged conspiracy that he was framed for the murder of Jeff German. 
Deputy District Attorney Pam Weckerly giving closing arguments as the Robert Telles murder trial nears an end.
The final day of the trial began with Judge Michelle Leavitt providing instructions for the jury, clarifying legal standards for first and second-degree murder, including a potential sentencing enhancement due to Jeff German’s age.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Pam Weckerly focused on Telles’ motive and actions leading to German’s death. She highlighted text messages and other digital evidence demonstrating Telles’ distress over German’s reporting.
Robert Draskovich emphasized a lack of direct evidence, pointing to gaps in the prosecution’s case and suggesting that mistakes made by police may have led to reasonable doubt that Telles killed German.
In his rebuttal, prosecutor Chris Hamner questioned Telles’ credibility, drawing attention to his inconsistent testimony and behavior. He dismissed the idea of an elaborate conspiracy and reinforced the motive as personal and driven by the impact of the reporter’s articles on Telles’ personal and professional life.
The jury was then sent to deliberate Telles’ fate.
