Politician’s creepy disguise for murder of journalist Jeff German
A former politician has been found guilty of murdering an investigative journalist who wrote critical stories about him.
Ex-politician Robert Telles has been found guilty of murder in the death of investigative journalist Jeff German.
After deliberating for two days, a jury found Telles guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon against a victim 60 or older.
Telles, who was previously an elected official in Clark County, Nevada, now faces up to life in prison, The US Sun reports.
The jury decision comes two years after German, a Las Vegas journalist, was found dead outside his home with several stab wounds.
Mr German had previously written multiple articles that were critical of Telles, a Democrat who had been elected in 2018.
The trial concluded on Friday, with the jury having heard from 28 witnesses from the prosecution and six from the defence.
Telles himself also took the stand, claiming he had been framed in the murder of the journalist.
He accused former colleagues, real estate agents, business owners, and the police as being a part of the alleged scheme, according to CBS News.
“I’m not crazy. I’m not trying to avoid responsibility,” Telles said in court Friday.
“I didn’t kill Mr German, and I’m innocent.”
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson slammed the vile murder and said the verdict sent a clear message: “Any attempt to silence the media, or to silence or intimidate a journalist will not be tolerated — that’s what occurred in this case.”
Prior to Mr German’s death, the journalist had published a series of condemning investigative stories on Telles and his office.
The stories were published just before Telles lost re-election in June 2022.
At the time, Mr German had detailed claims that the elected official created a hostile work environment and engaged in an “inappropriate relationship” with a member of his staff.
The week Mr German was killed, he had been working on a follow-up story about Telles.
An investigation into Mr German’s death unearthed surveillance video footage of a person wearing a straw hat and bright orange vest near the journalist’s home.
Prosecutors claimed to the jurors that the person in the video was in fact Telles.
“That person stays, lying in wait, for Jeff German,” Clark County Deputy District Attorney Pamela Weckerly said.
“Mr German opens his garage, goes into that side yard, and he is attacked.”
The footage was captured from a neighbour’s camera, with a view of Mr German’s sideyard blocked.
In the video, bushes can be seen rustling and after around two minutes, the person wearing the orange vest re-emerges.
While the individual begins walking down a sidewalk and into a maroon SUV, German never again appears.
Just a few days after the incident, investigators discovered that a similar vehicle was parked outside Telles’ home, where the former politician was washing the car.
Telles was arrested shortly after.
As the investigation continued, officials searched the Democrat’s home and garage finding items that appeared similar to what was seen in the surveillance video including a duffel bag and cut-up straw sun hat.
Prosecutors also pointed to DNA evidence found under Mr German’s fingernails, which they matched to Telles’ DNA.
Years-long denial
Telles, who pleaded not guilty, has long denied killing the journalist, previously claiming to CBS News that the evidence discovered was planted.
“I say that evidence or so-called evidence was planted along with the other items allegedly found in my home as well,” he said.
“And we will go ahead and prove that at trial.”
When arguing for his defence, Telles’ attorneys pointed to the lack of blood and DNA from Mr German being found on Telles, his vehicle, or home.
The defence also argued that the person shown in the surveillance video had a different silhouette to that of Telles.
As Telles accused others of conspiring against him, he was unable to provide evidence of his allegations.
“You know, the idea that Mr German’s throat was slashed and his heart was stabbed. ... I am not the kind of person who would stab someone. I didn’t kill Mr German,” Telles said, per NBC News.
“And that’s my testimony.”
In the end, it wasn’t enough to convince the jury.
The jury began deliberating on Monday and returned their verdict Wednesday afternoon.
As the decision was read, Telles was seen bowing and shaking his head, according to NBC News.
Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty in Telles’ case.
Instead, he may face life in prison without parole, life in prison with parole eligibility after 20 years, or anywhere between 20 and 50 years in prison.
This story was published by The US Sun and reproduced with permission
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