Robert Telles, a former Democratic Clark County administrator, took the stand on Wednesday to proclaim his innocence in the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German.
The trial, which has garnered significant attention, centers around allegations that Telles killed German in September 2022 following unflattering articles about his workplace conduct.
According to Fox News, Telles faces life in prison if convicted of the charges. The former politician insists he has been framed and uses his testimony to present his side of the story directly to the jury.
Speaking from the witness box, Telles declared, "Unequivocally, I'm innocent." He opted to testify in a narrative format rather than the standard question-and-answer style, a decision his attorney had advised against due to the risks of cross-examination.
The defendant expressed his nervousness to the jury, acknowledging that he had been waiting for this opportunity to share his perspective. Telles emphasized his right to share his opinion and the jury's right to evaluate it critically.
During his testimony, Telles provided background information about his life, including his education, career path, and family. He attempted to cast doubt on the prosecution's case by suggesting that the manner of German's death indicated professional training.
The prosecution has presented a substantial body of evidence against Telles, including DNA believed to be from the defendant found under German's fingernails, video footage of a person resembling Telles near the crime scene, and items found at Telles' residence that match those worn by the suspect.
Telles' defense strategy appears to focus on the theory that he was framed by a real estate firm. He stated: "Somebody framed me for this and I believe it was Compass Realty, and it related to the work I've done against them."
The defense also called a cellphone data expert who testified about Telles' phone activity on the day of the murder, though cross-examination revealed a significant gap in outgoing activity during the timeframe when German was believed to have been killed.
German was found dead outside his home in September 2022, having been stabbed and slashed. The prosecution alleges that Telles had been "lying in wait" for the journalist, who had recently published articles critical of Telles' conduct in office.
Law enforcement quickly focused on Telles as a suspect, circulating video of a person wearing distinctive clothing near German's home. The investigation uncovered hundreds of photos of German's home and neighborhood on Telles' devices, as well as evidence of internet searches for German's personal information.
Telles was arrested shortly after the murder, with police citing DNA evidence and surveillance footage as key factors in their investigation. The trial revealed the extent of the evidence gathered, including cell phone records and computer data, which the prosecution argues link Telles to the crime.
Robert Telles, the former Las Vegas Democratic official accused of murdering journalist Jeff German, has taken the stand to declare his innocence. He faces life in prison if convicted and claims he has been framed by a real estate firm. The prosecution has presented DNA evidence, surveillance footage, and digital records to support their case. The trial continues as both sides present their arguments to the jury.
