Trial of suspect in Review-Journal reporter murder case concludes first week | Courts

In the first week of the murder trial of the man accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German, 24 witnesses testified, including police officers, forensic experts, real estate agents and county employees.

Attorneys expect the murder trial of 47-year-old former Clark County clerk Robert Telles to last about two weeks. After jury selection was completed Tuesday night, the second half of the week was filled with witness testimony.

Telles is accused of killing German, 69, because the journalist wrote articles about his conduct as an elected official. Among other things, he claimed that Telles created a toxic work environment and had an “inappropriate” relationship with a female staffer. He is accused of “lying in wait” for German outside the reporter's home on Sept. 2, 2022, while wearing an orange vest and a large straw hat that obscured his face.

On Friday evening, Draskovich said Telles was feeling “very comfortable” after the first week of the trial and that he expected Telles to take the witness stand next week.

“He looks forward to testifying,” Draskovich said.

Evidence against Telles includes his own DNA, found under German's fingernails, and surveillance footage of a maroon Yukon Denali that prosecutors say matches the SUV registered to Telles' wife. Inside Telles' home, police found cut-up pieces of a tennis shoe with blood on it, cut-up pieces of a straw hat and a gray duffel bag that investigators said resembled items the attacker had worn or carried.

Telles insisted that the murder had been framed for him.

Throughout the first week of the trial, Telles sat next to his lawyers, often resting his chin in his hand, squinting at the monitor in front of him as it showed graphic images of German's body. At times, Telles nodded his head during testimony and appeared to whisper something to Roberta Lee-Kennett, the co-worker with whom he allegedly had an “inappropriate” relationship, after her testimony.

The jury is made up of seven men and seven women, including two alternates. The jurors appeared engaged throughout the week, taking notes in white folders. The jury also presented several questions to the witnesses to answer.

Here are the most important moments of the first week:

Former employee testifies

Lee-Kennett, a former real estate coordinator for the public administration office, took the stand Friday. Prosecutors showed the jury text messages between her and Telles after German was killed.

She had texted her former boss the day news of German's murder broke, and followed up a few days later when police released photos of the attacker's maroon Yukon Denali.

“Damn, your car is identical,” wrote Lee-Kennett Telles.

Lee-Kennett also testified that she told Telles on the day of German's murder that the county would release emails between the two in response to a request from German.

Surveillance material

The prosecution is trying to prove that the surveillance footage shows Telles' car, which the attacker drove before and after the attack on German.

Former Metropolitan Police Department Detective Cliff Mogg testified Wednesday and Thursday about pursuing a Yukon Denali that left Telles' neighborhood, drove through German's neighborhood and then headed back toward Telles' home after German was killed.

Mogg said the attacker's car and the one parked in Telles' driveway had numerous similarities: matching window tints, similar rims and a “bright spot” near the windshield.

He testified that the sight of Telles' car “absolutely confirmed my belief that Mr. Telles' vehicle was the one used in the murder of Jeffrey German.”

Opening statements

Assistant District Attorney Pamela Weckerly laid out a clear case based on DNA evidence and surveillance footage in her opening statement Wednesday.

“Ultimately, 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,” she said. “It is just about murder. And at the end of the evidence, we will ask you to hold him accountable for his conduct.”

Weckerly's opening statements also included previously undisclosed evidence. For example, she said Telles used his work computer to download pictures of German's house and to research German's car.

Draskovich painted a picture of Telles as an official who wanted to expose corruption in the office of the State Administrator. In his opening speech, he stressed that Telles' defeat in the election for State Administrator was “not a motive for murder” according to German's articles.

He also alleged that Metro Detective Derek Jappe, who was investigating an alleged housing bribery scheme, interfered in the murder investigation and pointed the finger at Telles.

Jappe testifies

On Friday afternoon, jurors heard Jappe explain that Telles first contacted him about the alleged kickback scheme, which Telles said involved a real estate company and the Public Administrator's Office. Weeks later, Jappe said, he was put in touch with employees of the Public Administrator's Office who claimed Telles himself had received kickbacks.

Jappe testified that he investigated both allegations “simultaneously.”

He said there was no evidence Telles received any kickbacks, and an FBI investigation proved him right. Prosecutors also concluded there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Telles' allegations.

Prosecutors are expected to complete their indictment early next week. Draskovich had previously said he would call about a dozen witnesses, but told the Review-Journal on Friday that he would review the witness list over the weekend.

Draskovich said that Telles wanted to be invited as a witness before his arrest.

“He always said that I would tell my story at trial,” Draskovich said.

Testimony is scheduled to continue on Monday morning.

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