Jury finds ex-politician guilty, sentenced up to life in Las Vegas journalist’s murder

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - Robert Telles, the former County public administrator, is now guilty of the 2022 stabbing death of Jeff German. A jury sentenced him to life in prison with a possibility of parole.

Seven men and seven women began at 8:55 a.m. and spent less than two hours before a verdict was reached. In total, the jurors deliberated for 12 hours across three days.

After the verdict, the jury was sent back to deliberate on the penalty.

Jurors then decided on life in an NDOC facility with eligibility for parole after 20 years. He will be formally sentenced on Oct. 16 at 8:30 a.m.

Families speak out

13 days of trial, 3 days to reach a verdict, but two years worth of heartache for two families - since veteran Las Vegas journalist Jeff German was found stabbed to death outside his home.

Two families with two separate heartbreaks took the stand in the penalty phase of this trial before the jury decided Telles should spend life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

A guilty verdict on Wednesday doesn’t mean this story is over.

“We, the jury in the above and titled case find the defendant, Robert Telles as follows, murder with use of a deadly weapon, victim 60 years of age or older, guilty of first-degree murder with use of use a deadly weapon,” the court clerk read just after 12 p.m.

This verdict comes just days before marking 2 years since German’s murder.

Telles took the life of a brother, uncle and fierce reporter. German’s family has been in the courtroom every single day of the trial patiently waiting for justice for someone they called “our leader.”

“I never imagined Jeff himself would become the subject of a national news headline for his murder by a cold-blooded city official in broad daylight,” said Jeff German’s sister, Jill Zwerg.

“It’s been very stressful over the past couple years. I wouldn’t want anybody to go through this. It was devastating to the family. We loved him, he loved us,” Jeff’s brother, Jay German told jurors.

“It’s going to take a long time to get past this. But we’re doing our best. We miss him a lot,” he added.

It’s something that still haunts his family but in a way, they understand why the investigative journalist wanted to tell stories that matter- even though it killed him.

Zwerg tells jurors, “I remember asking Jeff why he stayed here when other national papers recruited him. He said, Jill, this is Sin City, this is Las Vegas.”

The defendant is now a convicted murderer. A murderer who also has the title of a husband, father and son.

“He was always there for our kids. Even if I couldn’t make he was always there,” said Telles’ wife, Maryann Ismael. “I would love for my children not to lose that. He’s a good father and a good husband. At some point, I’d love to give my children the chance to have their father back.”

Telles mouthed “I love you” as Ismael walked out of the courtroom.

We heard from Telles’ mother Rosalinda Anaya as she had a tough time holding in her tears.

“I ask you, please I accept the verdict I ask if you could please give my son a chance at parole. His family is still very young and I would like for him, someday, be back with them again. Please, thank you,” she said looking at the jury.

The executive editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal provided a statement:

Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson recognized the work of his prosecutors in the case shortly after the guilty verdict was read.

“It was clearly premeditated. There was planning involved. It wasn’t a decision in a couple of minutes or moments, to kill Mr. German. There was planning involved,” Wolfson said during a press conference following the verdict. “All of the people that he [Telles] accused of having a part in a conspiracy, they had no role in any conspiracy and I think the jury’s verdict speaks directly to that.”

Wolfson also addressed questions on the death penalty being taken off the table for Robert Telles.

Woflson said the death penalty is not appropriate for certain cases -- and he said this was one of those, but did not elaborate.

The jury spent nearly two weeks listening to witness testimony and viewing over 300 pieces of evidence all while taking notes and thoroughly analyzing everything. We even heard intriguing questions from them. It is telling how long they have now been deliberating.

German’s family has been at the Regional Justice Center day in and day out for this trial. Public administrator’s office employees are also here eagerly waiting for any news coming out of the jury deliberation room.

County employees’ sigh of relief

Several employees at the office have spent over two years dealing with turmoil and later - tragedy.

Before German’s death, employees tipped off the investigative reporter to bullying and a hostile work environment under the leadership of Telles. Once Telles found himself charged with the murder, the current public administrator Rita Reid, along with Aleisha Goodwin, were among the list of people and agencies Telles claimed were framing him for the killing.

“We know him to be ridiculous. He creates his own reality and he is very committed to his lies and can tell a lie with sincerity. So it wasn’t a real surprise but I’m glad that it’s behind us, I’m glad that not one person on the jury fell for it. And it is nice now when I hear my name - it’s not being dragged through the mud,” Goodwin told FOX5 digital reporter Cody Lee.

She tells us the County employees will head back to work with a sense of relief.

Goodwin says if she and the others in the office are around in 20 years for Telles’ parole hearing, they plan to be there, wearing red and their pins in honor of Jeff German.

LIVE UPDATES

3:14 P.M. - The jury is now deliberating on Robert Telles’ sentencing terms.

3:10 P.M. - Deputy district attorney Christopher Hamner is delivering the state’s closing statements in the penalty phase.

“When crimes like this are committed, they have a ripple effect. No one wins, we are only here because of the actions of one person and one person alone,” he said. “The way Robert Telles chose to handle this was devastating. And it was his choice and his choice alone. No one forced his hand,” Hamner told jurors.

3:03 P.M. - Draskovich brings up a slide that says “Retribution vs redemption.”

“We don’t forgive to let an offender off. Forgiveness is preservation for ourselves,” Draskovich said.

“Let her have the opportunity to have her son back,” and his mother cries again in the front row. “He’s maintained his innocence, don’t punish him for that,” he said.

2:56 P.M. - The state has waived its right to a “first close” and will just do a rebuttal following the defense’s closing statements.

Robert Draskovich begins by referring to the three possible penalties. He asks them to apply the same attentiveness and energy when deciding the penalty.

“In this case, we have two devastated families. Both families, through no actions of their own, have received the trauma of this case,” Draskovich acknowledged.

Telles’ mother is heavily crying during this time.

2:48 P.M. - After a short recess, the jury is back in the courtroom. The judge is reading 13 instructions they should follow during deliberations.

We will hear closing statements from both sides.

2:30 P.M. - Robert Telles’ mother, Rosalinda Anaya, speaks to jurors.

“I was 18 years old when I had him. He is my world,” she began her statements.

Telles appeared very emotional at times throughout the testimony.

Anaya said “I love you, son” as she walked out of the courtroom.

2:18 P.M. - Tonia Burton, Telles’ ex-wife and mother of his oldest daughter is testifying now.

2:07 P.M. - Robert Telles’ wife Maryann Ismael is on the stand now.

Ismael says Telles was incredibly hard-working and wanted to be a provider for his family.

“He was always there, especially for his kids,” she said to jurors.

1:59 P.M. - Julie Smith, Jeff’s sister, speaks to jurors.

“He seemed to be the core of our family,” she said. “We’re never going to be able to share laughter with him,” Smith continued.

1:50 P.M. - The state calls Jill Zwerg, Jeff’s youngest sister, to the witness stand.

In a prewritten statement Zwerg said, “These holidays will never be the same without Jeffrey there.”

“He never forgot his nieces’ and nephews’ birthdays,” she added.

1:43 P.M. - Jeff’s younger brother Jay German is on the witness stand.

Jay says his sister called him to tell him Jeff had died. He didn’t sleep at all when he found out.

“Jeff was our leader. He was the older brother that we all leaned on,” said Jay.

“I wouldn’t want anyone to go through this...a big part of Jeff’s life was spending time with family. So, yeah, it’s going to take a long time for us to get past this but we are doing our best. We miss him a lot,” he ended his testimony.

1:40 P.M. - The jury is back in the courtroom. Both parties are now presenting opening statements.

We will hear from witnesses. The state says German’s family will speak while the defense tells FOX5 Telles’ wife, ex-wife and mother will testify.

There are three possible penalties the jury will need to determine.

The jurors will decide Telles’ fate:

• 50 years with parole possible eligibility after 20 years
• Life sentence with possible parole eligibility after 20 years
• Life sentence without the possibility of parole

1:12 P.M. - Defense attorney Robert Draskovich confirms to FOX5 that Telles’ wife, ex-wife and mother will be coming to testify as character witnesses during penalty phase.

12:10 P.M. - The jury finds Robert Telles guilty in the death of Review-Journal journalist Jeff German.

10:37 A.M. - District court PIO Mary Ann Price says a verdict will be read at noon.

8:55 A.M. - Jurors begin deliberating for the third day.

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