Las Vegas Politician Gets Life for Murdering Journalist

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Facts

• Robert Telles, the former Democratic Clark County (Nev.) Public Administrator, was found guilty of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German on Wednesday and sentenced to life in prison with possible parole after 20 years.^[1]
• German, who was stabbed to death outside his home in September 2022, had investigated Telles for months and published articles relating to allegations he oversaw an abusive workplace environment and had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Telles subsequently lost his Democratic primary election.^[2][3]
• The jury ruled after a two-week trial and two days of deliberations. They heard testimony from forensics experts, detectives, and people who knew Telles. In addition, they saw video footage of the killer wearing a straw hat and sneakers outside German's house.^[4]
• While Telles' phone was at home and he claims he went for a walk and to the gym that day, prosecutors showed video footage of Telles' car leaving his home and driving to German's neighborhood. Footage further showed similar outfits of the car's driver and the suspect on German's property.^[5]
• Prosecutors also showed Telles' DNA under German's fingernails, as well as Google Maps images of German's home on Telles' phone. However, Telles' attorney cited the fact that German's blood wasn't found on any of his client's items.^[3]
• When testifying on the stand, Telles argued that a real estate company, people from his office, and law enforcement conspired to frame him.^[3]

Sources: ^[1]FOX News, ^[2]Al Jazeera, ^[3]CNN, ^[4]BBC News and ^[5]New York Post.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Reviewjournal. German spent decades reporting on shadowy characters and criminals, but Telles — a failed politician unwilling to accept responsibility for his plight — was the only one who tried to kill a journalist just doing his job. This conviction has brought justice for German and all journalists who bravely speak truth to power.
• Narrative B, as provided by Youtube and Miranda Rights Law Firm. Telles' claims of a conspiracy against him are a stretch, but he did paint a picture of several people and a company who had a motive to frame him. Although Telles lost his argument, it should be acknowledged that sometimes investigators get things wrong, and people who claim they've been set up should be given a chance to say their piece.