Former Vegas politician indicted on murder charges in death of popular local journalist

Former Las Vegas politician Robert Telles (D) was indicted this week on murder charges following his arrest for the killing of popular local journalist Jeff German in early September. 

German was found stabbed to death at his home on September 2, and Telles was arrested five days later. German had previously written articles critical of Telles and his conduct as a manager, and accusations of misconduct and favoritism.

“The victim in this case, due to his investigative journalism, in some ways you could look at it, brought down Mr. Telles’s career,” said a prosecutor in a bail hearing last week.

Telles had served as the Clark County Administrator, charged with handling the estates of those who passed away without a written will. He was stripped of his position by a judge pending the state investigation into the alleged funding misappropriation.

Telles’ legal team declined to hold a preliminary hearing to present evidence, which state prosecutors have described as “overwhelming.” 

Telles may face the death penalty if found guilty of the murder charge, pending a decision by Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, which is expected in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, Telles is being held without bail in county jail. The official indictment is for murder with the use of a deadly weapon, with a victim 60 years of age or older. German was 69.

German was popular in the Vegas area for his leading coverage of the 2017 mass shooting at a country music event that left 60 dead and over 400 injured.