A former Clark County elected official, Robert Telles, was sentenced Wednesday to 28 years to life in prison for killing Las Vegas journalist, Jeff German.
Robert Telles returned to court for a sentencing hearing after he was convicted for the 2022 murder of Review-journal reporter Jeff German. The hearing started with Deputy District Attorney Pamela weckerly asking for the maximum enhancement, citing the “political violence” of the crime, German’s age of 69, and the impact of his death on his family and the Las Vegas community.
Telles and his attorney, Robert Draskovich, asked Judge Michelle Leavitt for less than maximum. “I understand the desire to seek justice and have somebody accountable for this, but I did not kill Mr. German, ” Telles said in court.
Jay German said, “We have a lot of anxiety about the future safety of our family … and the children of our family if Robert Telles were to be released after just 20 years of incarceration.”
After hearing the statement, Leavitt sentenced Telles to life in prison for the murder conviction, with parole eligibility after 20 years. She also added eight to 20 consecutive years for a deadly weapon enhancement, for a total of 28 years to life. Telles will receive credit for about two years of time served for his pre-trial detention.
A 12-person jury found Telles guilty after a two-week trail and three days of deliberations. The same jury also recommended he be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison following a penalty phase, which was held immediately after the verdict was rendered.
Prosecutors told Telles lied in wait for German outside of the latter’s home and stabbed him to death. They argued Telles retaliated for a series of articles German wrote about Telles’ tenure as Clark County public administrator, including allegations of creating a hostile work environment and having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
DNA found on German’s body during autopsy match with Telles’s, according to the Prosecutors, and articles of clothing matching those worn by the assailant were found inside Telles’ home.
Telles has maintained he is innocent. His defense argued that he was being framed for the murder after trying to investigate corruption in the public administrator’s office.
After the hearing, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said he was not surprised that Telles continued to claim innocence. He said, “He showed absolutely no remorse, no acceptance of responsibilty. He hasn’t done so this entire case. He committed a very heinous crime and he deserved the maximum sentence.”
Review-journal executive editor Glenn Cook said there was relief in the newspaper’s offices in light of Telles’ sentences.
“His steadfast refusal to accept responsibility or show a hint of remorse for the barbaric murder of Jeff German should ensure he is never paroled.” Cook said in a statement. “We’ll never forget Jeff. His killing remains an immeasurable loss for his family, friends, colleagues and community, and for journalism itself.”
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