The murder trial of a former elected official accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German is continuing Tuesday with the defense calling its first witnesses.
Robert Telles, 47, is standing trial on one count of murder with a deadly weapon against a victim 60 or older. Prosecutors have accused him of killing German, 69, over articles the journalist had written about Telles’ conduct as the Clark County public administrator.
The state rested its case on Monday, after the jury heard from 28 witnesses over four days of testimony. Telles’ defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, is set to call his first witness on Tuesday morning.
Prosecutors have accused Telles of “lying in wait” for German outside the reporters home on Sept. 2, 2022, while wearing a large straw hat and an orange reflective vest. Neighborhood video surveillance captured a distant image of the assailant confronting German on the side of the journalist’s house.
The state’s evidence against Telles includes his DNA found underneath German’s fingernails, and surveillance footage of the assailant’s vehicle that matches the description of a car registered to Telles’ wife. Cut-up pieces of a tennis shoe and a cut-up straw hat found at Telles’ home also matched the description of the assailant’s clothing, prosecutors have said.
Metropolitan Police Department detective Justine Gatus, the lead homicide detective in charge of investigating German’s killing, testified Monday that Telles’ phone contained over 100 images from Google maps showing German’s home and the street he lived on.
Telles’ work computer also contained information on German’s vehicle registration and address, she said.
Telles has maintained he was framed for German’s killing. Draskovich’s questioning and opening statements have focused on portraying Telles as a public official who was trying to expose corruption within the public administrator’s office.
Draskovich has said he expects Telles to take the witness stand this week.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240.