Jury deliberates in high-profile Las Vegas murder trial

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A jury of five men and seven women are now deliberating, tasked with deciding the fate of a former politician accused of killing a Las Vegas journalist.

The 11-day high-profile murder trial focused on former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, who is accused of the stabbing death of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German. German had been investigating turmoil in the Public Administrator’s office.

On Monday afternoon, the jury made two requests. One request was for more paper, and the other was to know how to zoom in on video evidence. Someone familiar with the tech assisted the jury in the process. After deliberating for four hours and eleven minutes, the jury went home just before 6 p.m. Monday. They will continue working toward a verdict again on Tuesday.

Around 11:30 a.m., the jury requested another laptop to evaluate digital evidence. With no objections, a court officer was designated to take the additional equipment to the jury. The jury also requested a side-by-side comparison of Telles’s gait and that of the suspect captured on surveillance video used in the prosecution’s closing arguments, alongside video from Jeff German’s Las Vegas Review-Journal story shown during the trial. They were referred to the jury instructions, indicating that they would need to find what they were looking for as it was provided in the evidence.

The trial contrasted two conflicting narratives. The defense, headed by attorney Robert Draskovich, focused on potential human error by law enforcement. At the same time, Telles, who took the stand on his own behalf, painted a picture of a more broad conspiracy that saw him as a victim framed for German’s murder. The prosecution emphasized the former politician’s motive and anger towards German’s reporting, citing digital and forensic evidence found by investigators. Each side attempted to sway the jury based on their evidence.

Day One

Mon., Aug. 12

Telles and his representation faced 60 perspective jurors, all questioned about their views on the criminal justice system, beliefs about the death penalty, and even their personal connections to Telles. Meanwhile, files from German’s electronic devices, which were reviewed for privileged information, were handed over to the court on the same day.

Day Two

Tues., Aug. 13

Prospective jurors continued to be questioned about their views on the justice system and potential biases. Topics included excuses would-be jurors believed would prevent them from serving and skepticism over the fairness of the judicial system. By the end of the day, a final jury of seven men and seven women was selected as attorneys prepared for opening statements and testimonies.

Day Three

Wed., Aug. 14

The prosecution and defense both delivered their opening arguments. Chief Deputy District Attorney Pam Weckerly recapped the investigation, telling the jury that neighbors and friends were concerned about German before he was found dead. Weckerly portrayed the perpetrator, Telles, as they would argue, as lying in wait for German. Autopsy photos were shown to the jury.

Weckerly said the trial was “just about murder” and not about politics, who was a good boss, or otherwise

Defense attorney Robert Draskovich delivered the opening arguments, painting a picture of “strange behavior” from Las Vegas Metropolitan police and Detective Derek Jappe, who he argued “inserted himself” into the murder case. He addressed an “old guard,” a concept that would reoccur during the trial’s 11 days in the public administrator’s office, that seemed to be out to get Telles. Draskovich said that Telles “upset the apple cart.”

“Losing a job is not a motive for murder,” Draskovich said, adding that, “We all know killing a journalist does not kill a story.”

The prosecution called German’s neighbors Holly and Roy Bailey and Debbie Ryan. The Baileys were the ones who found German’s body. In tearful testimony, they recounted the investigative reporter’s suspicious open garage door and discovering German dead outside his home.

Several law enforcement officials were then called, including Claire Browning and Stephanie Smissen, senior crime analysts for the LVMPD, and Jamie Loos, the director of the public information office for the LVMPD. They provided insight into the crime scene investigation, while retired detective Cliff Mogg detailed his efforts to obtain surveillance video from the perimeter of the crime scene area.

Day Four

Thurs., Aug. 15

Several key witnesses were called to testify as the trial of Robert Telles continued. Cliff Mogg was cross-examined regarding the video evidence of the red Yukon, while Dr. Stephanie Yagi, a forensic pathologist, testified about Jeff German’s autopsy, speaking about his fatal stab wounds and potential defensive injuries.

Jennifer Manning, a crime scene analyst, discussed evidence that was collected detailing Telles’ clothing. Detectives Edgar Nahum, James Milligan, and John Hoffman described searching Telles’ home and finding items like a cut-up hat and a shoe.

Day Five

Fri., Aug. 16

Forensic evidence was presented by the prosecution, aiming to link Telles to German’s killing. Forensic scientists detailed the mixture of DNA profiles found under German’s fingernails, one of which matched Telles. The defense questioned the reliability of those findings, suggesting that those samples may have been contaminated.

Defense attorney Draskovich challenged the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation, suggesting that lapses in crime scene management may have led to errors in the evidence handling. He also highlighted inconsistencies in witness testimonies pointing to alleged procedural errors in forensic analysis. Testimony for a patrol officer and detective on the investigation timeline and Telles’ behavior before his arrest rounded out day five of the trial.

Day Six

Mon., Aug. 19

The prosecution continued to build its case, presenting testimony from law enforcement and forensics experts. An undercover surveillance detective tasked with monitoring Telles recalled his experience before forensic analysts detailed evidence handling at the crime scene. Searches from Telles’ phone and work computer were shown to the jury, including German’s address and images from the crime scene.

The defense questioned the accuracy and handling of both digital and physical evidence. Brought to light was the misclassification of vital body camera video that led to its deletion. The detective in charge of the investigation detailed her team’s approach. The day concluded as the prosecution rested its case, satisfied that it had linked Telles to German’s death through forensic and digital evidence.

Day Seven

Tues., Aug. 2 0

In its first witness, the defense called a clinical psychologist who testified about the psychological stress faced by those who are accused of severe crimes. He made the point that a suicide attempt does not necessarily indicate guilt. Another witness recounted seeing a person dressed similarly to the suspect near Bruce Trent Park.

The day concluded earlier than expected due to a delay in one witness’s testimony, recessing after only two hours of testimony.

Day Eight

Wed., Aug. 2 1

A cellphone forensics expert testified about Telles’ phone activity, detailing the limitations of location data. It was suggested that a phone’s location data could be manipulated by a suspect simply leaving it behind and going somewhere. Another witness testified about the dynamics in the Public Administrator’s office, denying that Telles’ had shown any anger over German’s articles. A gym manager presented a potential alibi for Telles in the form of a gym check-in sheet. However, prosecutors cast doubt on the evidence, highlighting the lack of differentiation between remote and in-person check-ins.

Telles himself took the stand, testifying by narrative, something sources say could happen if a defense attorney feels uncomfortable or concerned about that defendant’s testimony. Telles boldly proclaimed his innocence, saying he had been framed due to his opposition to Compass Realty, describing his allegations against the company.

Day Nine

Thurs., Aug. 2 2

Telles continued his testimony, emphasizing his belief that he was framed for German’s murder. He said that he believed many pieces of digital evidence were planted, adding that the murderer seemed to be a professional, something that he, a non-combat-trained politician, was not.

Upon cross-examination, Prosecutor Chris Hamner challenged Telles’ assertions of a conspiracy, questioning the former politicians’ inconsistencies in his narrative. Telles maintained the evidence was part of a broader effort to frame him.

Toward the end of Hamner’s cross-examination, a photograph of an Apple Watch was presented as evidence, depicting a message that did not appear on Telles’ phone but on his wife’s watch. The message said, “Where are you?” and seemed to have been sent at the time that a vehicle matching the description of Telles’ red Yukon was spotted in German’s neighborhood and the investigative reporter was killed.

Day 10

Fri. Aug. 23

Several key witnesses, including Cliff Mogg and Matthew Hovanec, were called back to the stand and focused on text messages and digital metadata. Hovanec revealed that a recipe for chicken fried rice was not found on Telles’ phone, which the former politician had claimed to have been cooking when he cut his finger. Prosecutors told the jury they believed Telles cut his finger while committing the murder.

During his continued testimony, Telles reiterated his belief that he was being framed for German’s murder, alleging various conspiracies involving law enforcement and Compass Realty. He attempted to undermine the prosecution’s digital and forensic evidence, suggesting that these were part of a setup to implicate him falsely.

Prosecutors, for their part, challenged Telles’ claims, focusing on inconsistencies in Telles’ stories and the broad nature of the alleged conspiracy. The defense rested its case, setting the stage for the trial to move toward closing arguments.

Day 11

Mon., Aug. 26

The final day of the trial began with Judge Michelle Leavitt providing instructions for the jury, clarifying legal standards for first and second-degree murder, including a potential sentencing enhancement due to Jeff German’s age.

During closing arguments, prosecutor Pam Weckerly focused on Telles’ motive and actions leading to German’s death. She highlighted text messages and other digital evidence demonstrating Telles’ distress over German’s reporting.

Robert Draskovich emphasized a lack of direct evidence, pointing to gaps in the prosecution’s case and suggesting that mistakes made by police may have led to reasonable doubt that Telles killed German.

In his rebuttal, prosecutor Chris Hamner questioned Telles’ credibility, drawing attention to his inconsistent testimony and behavior. He dismissed the idea of an elaborate conspiracy and reinforced the motive as personal and driven by the impact of the reporter’s articles on Telles’ personal and professional life.

The jury was then sent to deliberate Telles’ fate.

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