The murder trial of the Nevada Democrat accused of murdering a journalist begins

The murder trial began this week against Robert Telles, a Democratic politician from Nevada who is accused of murdering an investigative reporter.

Telles, a former Democratic Clark County property manager, was arrested in September 2022, as Slay News informed at that time.

He remains imprisoned since his arrest.

The former Las Vegas-area politician was charged with murder just days after Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German was found slashed and stabbed outside his home over Labor Day weekend.

In a statement, Las Vegas attorney Marc Randazza said that while he didn't know Telles well, he sensed something was wrong when they met.

“I wouldn't say I know Telles, but I've been to dinners where he was invited as well,” Randazza said.

“I never sensed that he was capable of such a thing, though I always found him a little strange.

“But in many ways, one has to be a little weird to be 'normal' in Vegas, which I say proudly.”

German, 69, was found slashed and stabbed to death in a side yard outside his home.

Telles is accused in a criminal complaint of “lying in wait” outside the property for German to come outside.

German wrote articles in early 2022 about Telles and a county office in crisis.

Prosecutors say the items were the motive for the murder.

Randazza said this case has an interesting First Amendment angle, which he says is the company's primary interest in the matter.

He pointed out that the free speech element is really the only part of the case that has far-reaching implications beyond the mere fascination with true crime.

“As part of the investigation and prosecution, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department obtained Alemany's documents and press notes, including those from his cell phone,” Randazza said.

“The Las Vegas Review-Journal, the reporter's employer, sought to prevent police and prosecutors from reviewing his devices and documents, citing Nevada's news shield statute.

“Journalists generally have a privilege against disclosure of their newspapers, which may also include information about their sources of information, under the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press.

“The Nevada Supreme Court found that the privilege does not die with the reporter and protected the information from direct disclosure to the government.

“Ultimately, the Review-Journal and prosecutors reached an agreement in which German's devices could be reviewed by a third party to examine confidential information.”

Telles became an attorney in 2015 and ran as a Democrat in 2018 to become Clark County Property Trustee.

He lost his elected office after his arrest and had his law license suspended.

He has pleaded not guilty to open murder and could face life in prison if convicted.

He has remained jailed while preparing to face a jury.

Randazza criticized Telles' choice to originally represent himself.

“He's moved between being represented and representing himself,” Randazza said.

“Representing himself was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen anyone do in court, but it's his constitutional right.

“However, it appears he has re-hired a lawyer.”

Robert Draskovich, Telles' defense attorney, said Telles was “looking forward to the trial and wants to tell his story,” the Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors say they have strong evidence, including DNA believed to be Telles' found under German's fingernails and pieces cut from a straw hat.

The shoes found at Telles' home also resembled those worn by the person seen in the video outside German's home.

However, Randazza again criticized Telles' approach and defense strategy.

“His 'I didn't do it' defense seems like a bad strategy,” Randazza said.

“There are other defenses besides 'It must be another guy who looked like me and had all this evidence in his house.'”

In a court filing, Telles contends that he was illegally detained by police prior to his arrest, and that the officer's body-worn camera video of the traffic stop during which he was pulled over delete inappropriately.

He also claims that hospital blood tests taken after his arrest and treatment for what he has called self-inflicted stab wounds to his wrists were not included as evidence in his case.

Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt denied other requests to dismiss the case, while Telles hired and fired attorneys and served as defense counsel.

Telles twice tried to have Leavitt removed from his case, arguing that she was biased against him.

“He seems to believe that Judge Leavitt is biased against him and has tried to get it [her] rejected,” Randazza said.

“That's rarely a strong play, and so far it hasn't worked. For what it's worth, I think when it comes to a judge with integrity, you can probably find equals with Leavitt, but you won't find anyone who beats her in the competition of 'integrity'.

Telles wanted his trial to happen quickly.

However, progress was delayed in part by a legal battle the Review-Journal took to the state Supreme Court to protect public disclosure of confidential sources on German cellphones and computers.

The newspaper argued that the names and unpublished material were protected from disclosure by the First Amendment and Nevada state law.

Police argued their investigation would not end until the devices were searched for possible evidence.

The court gave the newspaper, its lawyers and consultants time to first review the files.

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