Robert Telles, a former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician, is on trial for the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German. Telles maintains his innocence, claiming the evidence against him is tainted, planted, or part of a conspiracy. The stories written by German about Telles’ leadership of a county office in turmoil led to the alleged plot to kill him. Telles’ law license was suspended following his arrest, and he lost a primary bid for re-election.
Throughout the trial, Telles has presented a narrative of being framed for the murder, blaming various individuals, including office colleagues, real estate agents, and business owners. He denied any involvement in the crime and expressed disbelief that he could commit such an act.
Evidence presented during the trial included DNA linking Telles to the murder, as well as surveillance footage of a maroon SUV similar to one owned by Telles’ family seen in German’s neighborhood around the time of the killing. Telles’ DNA was found beneath German’s fingernails, which he claimed was planted.
Closing arguments are scheduled to take place on Monday, following Telles’ self-guided testimony where he denied any responsibility for the murder. The trial has drawn attention due to the high-profile nature of the case, with German being the only journalist killed in the US in 2022. The jury will ultimately decide Telles’ fate, with the possibility of a life sentence if he is found guilty.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
