Surprise text unveiled at trial of ex-politician charged with reporter’s murder

A surprising turn in court unfolded Thursday as a former Las Vegas-area politician, Robert Telles, took the stand in his murder trial regarding the death of veteran investigative reporter Jeff German. Telles, who has denied any involvement, was subjected to questioning that included a text message from his wife inquiring about his whereabouts around the time of German’s violent death.

During the tense courtroom proceedings, prosecutor Christopher Hamner directed Telles to read the message: “Where are you?” Telles claimed he ignored various text messages, emails, and calls while he went for a walk and later to the gym on the day German was killed. Prosecutors allege that this meant Telles could have left his phone behind while carrying out a planned attack against the journalist.

The focus then shifted to cellphone records analyzed the previous day, offered by a defense witness. These records did not show the text from Telles’ wife, which was later found on her Apple Watch. Telles admitted that he could have deleted the message but did not confirm that he had done so.

As the prosecutor mentioned, the timing of the text—10:30 a.m. on September 2, 2022—coincided with video footage capturing a maroon SUV resembling Telles’ vehicle in the vicinity of German’s home. A person dressed in an orange outfit and wearing a large straw hat was seen driving it, and Telles repeatedly referred to that individual as the killer.

Where Telles was at the time of the attack on German has been a pivotal question throughout the trial. His day of testimony presented a disjointed stream of thoughts, prompting the jury to ponder the nature of his defense.

Telles served as a Democratic administrator for a Clark County office responsible for unclaimed estates. He has been incarcerated for nearly two years since his arrest in connection with German’s murder and now faces the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted.

As the trial progresses, Telles is expected to return to the witness stand for a continuation of questioning. His attorney, Robert Draskovich, indicated that no additional witnesses were planned for the defense. Both the prosecution and defense anticipate that closing arguments will take place on Monday, marking the end of the evidentiary phase of the case.

Tensions between Telles and Draskovich appeared to emerge during the trial. On Tuesday, Draskovich was granted permission to have Telles testify by narrative, which deviated from the traditional question-and-answer format often employed in court. Sources suggest that such a shift may occur when a lawyer feels uncomfortable about how their client is presenting their case.

In a dramatic claim, Telles alleged during his testimony that he was framed for German’s murder by an established network of political and social connections in real estate, claiming they were resisting his efforts to overhaul corruption within his office. He elaborated on the gruesome specifics of German’s murder, implying that the methodology suggested involvement from someone experienced.

“I am not the kind of person who would stab someone,” Telles asserted, adamantly maintaining his innocence. The victim, Jeff German, had a long-standing career spanning 44 years, during which he reported on corruption, crime, and court matters. Telles has been accused of orchestrating a lethal plan in retaliation for multiple reports that German wrote about him, detailing claims of misconduct in office and other personal allegations.

In a turning point of confessing the truth, Telles finally acknowledged Thursday that German’s articles regarding a romantic relationship he had with a female employee were factual. German was investigating this relationship further at the time of his murder.

Testimony in the case included claims of Telles’ troubling conduct towards several female employees, which formed part of the motive for German’s critical reporting. One female employee previously described Telles as “a horrible, horrible human being.”

As the trial neared its conclusion, the prosecution completed its case after four days of testimonies featuring 28 witnesses and extensive evidence, including police reports and photographs.

Under cross-examination, Telles was questioned about DNA findings beneath German’s fingernails—evidence suggested he struggled for his life during the attack. Telles claimed ignorance regarding how incriminating evidence ended up in his home, including a straw hat and shoes matching what the video surveillance revealed about the suspect.

Despite the substantial evidence presented, prosecutor Hamner recognized that two crucial pieces of evidence, the murder weapon and the orange work shirt, had never been located. He challenged Telles’s claims of conspiracy, questioning why those key items were not included as part of the supposed framing.

Telles remained evasive in his responses, stating, “I don’t know.” As the court gears up for final arguments, all eyes remain on the unfolding drama, which has captured the attention of a community grappling with the loss of an investigative giant.

Source: CBS News