Former Nevada county public administrator Robert Telles has been found guilty of the murder of Las Vegas journalist Jeff German. A jury delivered the guilty verdict this afternoon, concluding that Telles killed the “Las Vegas Review-Journal” investigative reporter in September 2022 in retaliation for a series of negative articles German had written about him.
German, a veteran journalist known for his in-depth investigations, had reported extensively on Telles’ conduct while serving as the Clark County public administrator. These reports allegedly contributed to Telles’ defeat in his re-election bid, which prosecutors argued was the motive behind the murder.
Telles, who had denied the charges, now faces the penalty phase of the trial, which is set to begin later today. The jury reached its decision after deliberating since Monday, following a trial that captured significant public and media attention due to the shocking nature of the crime and its implications for press freedom.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and the lengths to which public figures might go to silence critical voices. The upcoming penalty phase will determine the severity of Telles’ punishment, with many in the community watching closely to see how the legal system handles this high-profile case.
