Closing arguments heard, jury begins deliberations in Robert Telles murder trial

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A jury in the murder trial of Robert Telles began deliberations Monday.

Telles is the former Clark County public administrator who is accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in September 2022.

Telles has been on trial since August 12, 2024. On Friday, the jury heard all the evidence in the case.

Prosecutors said there was overwhelming evidence linking Telles to the crime, including DNA evidence found under German's fingernails.

On Monday, Judge Michelle Leavitt gave instructions to the jury.

Channel 13 has obtained a copy of the jury instructions, which list 32 people.

Afterwards, prosecutor Pamela Weckerly made her closing statement.

Weckerly presented all of the evidence presented during the testimony.

Finally, she stressed that Telles was not, as he claims, part of a conspiracy.

“At the end of his statement, he said he was a victim,” Weckerly said. “Or maybe he wasn't wronged at all. Maybe he's the one who's in the wrong.”

Telles' lawyer Robert Draskovich then delivered his closing argument.

In it, he showed a screenshot from a surveillance video showing the Yukon Denali in question in this case.

He said a close-up of the screenshot shows a man with hair, and Telles is clearly bald.

“It is the state’s responsibility, and only its responsibility, to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Draskovich said.

Prosecutor Christopher Hamner then presented a refutation of the defense’s closing arguments.

Hamner said the “ever-growing conspiracy” makes no sense.

Telles claims he was set up by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and a real estate group called Compass Realty & Management.

But Hamner asked jurors why all these corporations, government employees and small business owners would be willing to sacrifice everything to murder Jeff German.

Hamner also asked if Metro was involved in a conspiracy to capture Telles and then why they didn't let him die in a tub.

During testimony, bodycam video was shown showing officers arresting Telles, at which point Telles attempted to commit suicide.

But Hamner emphasizes that it was Detective Derek Jappe who saved his life.

Telles was seen putting his hand in front of his face, grimacing and shaking his head as he replied.

Jappe is the Metro intelligence officer who was investigating allegations of bribery by Telles and Compass Realty & Management at the time of German's murder.

Jappe sat in on the closing arguments of Detective Taylor Tolliver and Detective Justine Gatus.

District Attorney Steve Wolfson was also present.

German's family members were also in the courtroom. They attended every hearing of the trial.

The jury began its deliberations at 1:49 p.m. They concluded their session at 5:58 p.m.

The committee will continue its deliberations on Tuesday at 9 a.m.