Trial of Robert Telles: Lawyers make opening statement – ​​WATCH LIVE | Courts

Attorneys made opening arguments Wednesday in the murder trial of a former politician accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.

Robert Telles, 47, is on trial for murder with a deadly weapon of a victim 60 years of age or older. He is accused of stabbing German, 69, to death outside the reporter's home in September 2022.

Prosecutors say he killed German because of articles the journalist wrote about Telles' conduct as a former Clark County public administrator. German wrote about allegations that Telles created a toxic work environment and had an “inappropriate” relationship with a female employee in the office.

Assistant District Attorney Pamela Weckerly detailed the stories German had written about Telles to the jury, showing the two interacting and playing video surveillance footage outside German's home from the day of his murder.

She also told jurors that before the murder, Telles downloaded Google images of German's house and searched for information about his car.

“At the end of the day, this case is not about politics, it is not about alleged inappropriate relationships, it is not about who is a good boss or supervisor or about nepotism in the workplace,” Weckerly said. “It is just about murder. And at the end of the evidence, we will ask you to hold him accountable for his conduct.”

Defense attorney Robert Draskovich focused on Telles as a public official seeking to expose corruption in his office. Draskovich tried to sow doubt that Telles killed German, saying cellphone records did not place Telles at the reporter's home on the day of his murder and that “loss of a job is not a motive for murder.”

Draskovich showed the judges images of social media posts with laughing emojis that Telles had created after German's initial stories were published.

“These articles were not a motive for murder,” Draskovich said. “And we all know that killing a journalist does not mean killing a story. Killing Jeff German does not mean killing the investigation or the stories about Mr. Telles.”

Draskovich pointed to a police investigation into a housing bribery scheme. He claimed that a detective in charge of that investigation, who had initially been contacted by Telles, changed course and began monitoring Telles instead.

Draskovich claimed the detective interfered in the murder investigation and pointed the finger at Telles.

At the end of his opening statement, Draskovich played two voicemails that German had received.

“Jeff German was no stranger to pissing people off,” Draskovich said. “He pissed off a lot of people, far more capable people, far more violent people. He was often threatened by people… He was known for the boldness of his investigations and taking on corrupt and violent targets as part of his investigative journalism.”

The voicemails were full of curses and contained threats from angry callers.

Draskovich argued that police should have investigated “all possibilities.”

“The defense cannot prove that either of these gentlemen did this,” Draskovich said. “We're not saying they did it, we don't know. But there's a bigger picture. We don't know what investigative steps were even taken to follow up on these two threats that we know about.”

The jury consists of seven men and seven women, two of whom act as alternate juries.

Lawyers have said the trial is expected to last at least two weeks.

Telles insists he was framed for German's murder. Prosecutors point to “overwhelming” evidence against Telles, including his DNA found under German's fingernails.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.

Contact Katelyn Newberg at [email protected] or 702-383-0240.