A former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician convicted of killing an investigative journalist who wrote critical articles about him was told by a judge on Wednesday that he must spend at least 28 years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.
The judge invoked the sentencing enhancement to add eight years to the minimum 20-year-to-life sentence that a jury set in August after finding Robert Telles guilty of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German outside German's home on Labor Day weekend in 2022.
German, 69, spent 44 years covering crime, courts and corruption in Las Vegas. At the time of German's death, Telles, 47, was elected administrator of the Clark County office that handles unclaimed property and inheritance cases.
“We have lost a brother, an uncle, a friend, a leader. We are still in shock, even though two years have passed. It will take a long time to recover,” German's brother, Jay, said in the courtroom just before the hearing. Telles verdict. “We are very concerned about the future safety of our family… should Robert Telles be released after only 20 years in prison.”
TELLES' OWN TESTIMONIES QUESTION HIS DEFENSE IN JOURNALIST'S MURDER CASE, JUROR SAYS
Robert Telles makes a statement during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, October 16. (KTNV)
Telles, who also spoke Wednesday, denied any responsibility for German's death.
“The family expresses my sincerest condolences. Mr. German had a huge impact on the community, he made a difference, and from family testimony we know that he was a good brother and a good uncle. I also understand the desire to seek justice and appoint someone to be responsible for that,” Telles said. “But I didn't kill Mr. German. And unfortunately, for those who should be held accountable and who should be brought to justice, the chances of that happening now – at this moment – are slim. “That said, once again my deepest sympathies to the family and I wish them all the best as they cope with the rest of this tragedy.”
Telles lost his primary for a second term after German in May and June 2022 described confusion at the Clark County Administrator/Public Guardian's office.
Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles (right) speaks with Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in his office in Las Vegas, May 11, 2022. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
In one of them, German wrote that “a half-dozen current and former employees interviewed by the Review-Journal say the hostile work environment was fueled by elected office administrator Robert Telles having an 'inappropriate relationship' with an employee that caused it harms the company's ability to deal with the public in overseeing the estates of those who have died.”
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner said during closing arguments in the murder trial that German had not yet finished his work to expose Telles, which ultimately led the politician to eliminate the veteran journalist.
“And he did it because Jeff didn't finish writing,” Hamner said. “It's like connecting the dots. He murdered him because Jeff's writing destroyed his career. It destroyed his reputation. It probably threatened his marriage. “He revealed things that even he himself admitted he didn't want the public to know.”
TELLES HAD HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS OF GERMAN'S HOUSE AND AREA, JURY TOLD
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner (top right) said during the trial that Telles, who has since passed away, murdered the German “because Jeff's writings destroyed his career.” (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Pool, front and top right, Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal via Getty.)
According to the Associated Press, Telles testified at the trial for several hours, admitting for the first time that reports of an office affair were true. He denied murdering the German and said he was “framed” in a broad conspiracy involving a real estate company, police, DNA analysts, former associates and others. He also told the jury that he was a victim of crusades to root out corruption.
However, the evidence included Telles' DNA found under German's fingernails.
The German was found slashed and stabbed to death in the side yard of his house, where Telles is accused in criminal proceedings of “waiting” for the German to come outside.
Robert Telles listens to closing arguments during his murder trial at the Las Vegas Regional Justice Center on Aug. 26. (KM Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/AP)
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Telles' attorney, Robert Draskovich, said Telles plans to appeal the verdict.
Fox News' Michael Dorgan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
