Jury selection is set to begin on Monday in the trial of Robert Telles, a former Las Vegas-area politician accused of the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German. The journalist had penned critical articles about Telles’ conduct while in office. Telles, the former Democratic county administrator, has pleaded not guilty to open murder charges that could lead to a life sentence. Prosecutors are not pursuing the death penalty in this case.
Telles, who has been in custody since his September 2022 arrest, has expressed a desire for a trial to commence quickly. However, his journey to trial has been tumultuous, marked by changes in legal representation and failed attempts to have the presiding judge removed due to allegations of bias.
Amidst claims of being framed by law enforcement, biased investigations, and civil rights violations, Telles has not provided evidence to support his assertions. His defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, stated Telles is eager to share his side of the story with a jury. The defense anticipates a lengthy jury selection process due to the high media interest in the case.
The prosecutors, Pamela Weckerly and Christopher Hamner, have refrained from discussing details of the case outside of the courtroom. District Attorney Steve Wolfson emphasized the significance of the case for the community, referring to German’s killing as “brutal and meaningless.” German, a renowned journalist with decades of experience reporting on various issues, including government corruption and organized crime, was found dead after writing critical pieces about Telles.
Prosecutors believe German’s articles about Telles served as a motive for the crime. They claim to possess compelling evidence, such as DNA beneath German’s fingernails believed to be Telles’, and surveillance footage allegedly showing Telles near German’s residence around the time of the murder.
Challenges leading up to the trial included a legal dispute between the Review-Journal and law enforcement over the protection of German’s confidential sources during the investigation. Despite obstacles, progress towards the trial is ongoing, with efforts being made to ensure transparency and a fair legal process.
As the trial approaches, both the defense and the prosecution are preparing their cases, with Telles seeking to limit certain testimonies that he deems irrelevant to the proceedings. The court is expected to address these matters as the trial unfolds.
