The trial of former Clark County administrator of estates, Robert Telles, accused of killing investigative journalist Jeff German, has begun with jury selection. Telles has been in jail since his arrest in September 2022, following German’s tragic death.
Although attorney Marc Randazza did not know Telles personally, he found him to be a bit odd but did not believe he was capable of such a crime. The case involves an interesting First Amendment angle, as German’s journalistic papers and notes were obtained by the police during the investigation.
Telles, who became a lawyer in 2015, ran as a Democrat in 2018 but lost his elected position after his arrest. He has pleaded not guilty to open murder and could face life in prison if convicted. Despite initially representing himself, Telles has now retained counsel for his defense.
Prosecutors claim to have strong evidence linking Telles to the crime, including DNA found under German’s fingernails and items resembling those worn by the suspect found at Telles’ house. However, Randazza criticized Telles’ defense strategy of simply denying the accusations.
Telles has raised concerns about police conduct during his arrest and the handling of evidence in his case. He has tried to have the presiding judge removed, alleging bias, but these attempts have been unsuccessful so far.
The trial has faced delays due to legal battles over the protection of confidential sources on German’s electronic devices. The Review-Journal argued for the protection of these sources under the First Amendment and Nevada state law, leading to a lengthy review process before the trial could proceed.
In conclusion, the trial of Robert Telles for the murder of journalist Jeff German has begun, with the case raising important questions about press freedom and the protection of sources in investigative journalism. Telles maintains his innocence and is prepared to tell his side of the story as the trial progresses.