LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Closing arguments have wrapped up in the Robert Telles trial and the case now rests in the hands of the jury.
On Monday, the jury received its instructions. Jurors officially started deliberating at 1:49 p.m., according to a district court spokesperson.
Telles, a once-elected Clark County official is accused of killing investigative reporter Jeff German back in September of 2022.
On day 11 of this trial, we heard from both sides to convince the jury why they should or should not find Telles guilty.
The state reflected on Telles’ testimony we heard last week and said Robert Telles “may have been our best witness for the state.” The state pulled his testimony a part with their evidence and Telles’ defense is trying to prove otherwise- with a new video of the Yukon Denali.
Telles has repeatedly said he is innocent and he is being framed for the murder- and that all the evidence was planted.
State’s closing
STATE: “On September 1, Mr. Telles is notified that the county is getting ready to release all the documents that were subjected to the public records request, he is notified and Ms. Kennett is notified September 1, 2022, and the murder happens the next day.”
STATE: “He is in the area of Mr. German’s neighborhood around 10:26 a.m. in the morning. What’s the next thing that happens, well you know, this is Ms. Telles’ Apple Watch she sends that message to Mr. Telles at 10:35 am, and the message is ‘Where are you?’ While he is sitting in Mr. German’s neighborhood so he is not answering this text message
STATE: “It is Mr. Telles’ DNA on the scene, it’s literally on the body of Mr. German.”
Defense’s closing
DEFENSE: “Jeff German’s DNA wasn’t anywhere but the scene of the crime and this is significant because we have heard the state’s evidence from their point of view.”
DEFENSE: “If there was a struggle, where are the markings, where are the bruising, where are the scratches.”
Defense attorney Robert Draskovich then shows surveillance from the construction site near German’s house. If you recall the dark red Yukon was seen in the area, a construction worker even approached the vehicle. The defense zooms into the video and points out the side profile of the driver in the vehicle. Draskovich says the driver has hair, possibly wearing glasses and has a different facial structure.
DEFENSE: “Look at the image look at the profile. There is hair, we have two captures from two different angles, the profile does not match the profile of Mr. Telles.”
DEFENSE: “This is our last opportunity to discuss matters and evidence and the instances to be drawn from the evidence.”
Throughout this trial, there have been more than 300 pieces of evidence including Telles’ DNA that was found under German’s fingernails. Telles has said he does not know how it got there.
LIVE UPDATES
1:01 P.M. – The jury now has the case. They will begin deliberations after lunch.
12:08 P.M. – District attorney Christopher Hamner presents rebuttal argument to jury.
11:26 A.M. – Defense attorney Robert Draskovich delivering closing arguments to jury.
10:35 A.M. – District attorney Pamela Weckerly is giving closing arguments.
10:16 A.M. – Judge Michelle Leavitt reading jury instructions to jurors.
10:13 A.M. – Court is back in session for third week of Robert Telles trial.
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