A politician from Las Vegas was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for the murder of an investigative journalist. The case involved Robert Telles, who was found guilty of killing Jeff German, a reporter known for his critical articles about Telles’ actions as the head of a local department.
The conviction came after a jury in Clark County, Nevada, heard evidence that Telles waited outside German’s home before attacking him. Prosecutors presented a timeline of events showing that Telles had planned the murder. They argued that German’s reporting exposed wrongdoing in Telles’ office, which motivated the crime.
During the trial, witnesses testified about the tension between Telles and German. They described the journalist’s work as thorough and revealing. Telles, who held a public office, faced multiple allegations of misconduct before the murder. The articles written by German revealed serious issues and ignited public interest in Telles’ management of the department.
German’s body was found in early September 2022, leading to a police investigation. Detectives quickly identified Telles as a suspect. They linked Telles to the crime scene through DNA evidence found on a knife, which was used to kill German. Law enforcement traced Telles’s activities on the day of the murder.
The courtroom was filled with German’s family and friends, who expressed their grief over the loss of the journalist. They remembered German as an honest reporter dedicated to uncovering the truth. Telles’s defense team argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that Telles did not intend to kill German. However, the jury found Telles guilty of murder after deliberating for only a few hours.
Telles will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case has drawn attention to the dangers faced by journalists who investigate wrongdoing. The jury’s decision has been seen as a step towards accountability for those who commit violence against members of the press.