Robert Telles sentenced to additional years for the murder of Las Vegas journalist Jeff German

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Robert Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, was sentenced Wednesday to an additional 8 to 20 years for the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German over Labor Day weekend in 2022.

Telles killed German, 69, after writing some unflattering news stories about him he believed had lost the election. Evidence at Telles’ trial included Telles’ DNA, found under German’s fingernails.

Robert Telles was the only suspect in the murder of a journalist in Las Vegas; Homicide lieutenant calls verdict ‘relief’

Telles was found guilty of first-degree murder in August and the jury sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years. On Wednesday, Judge Michelle Leavitt sentenced him to two enhancements, one for the gun and the other because German was over 60 years old. The judge gave him another 8 to 20 years. Telles did receive credit for the two years he had already spent behind bars. The earliest he could be released on parole is 26 years from now.

During the sentencing, Telles addressed the court and the German family, offering his condolences but still claiming his innocence.

German was a respected investigative journalist covering the Las Vegas community for more than four decades and eventually encouraged his other family members to settle here. His brother, Jay German, addressed the court and talked about the toll his brother’s murder had taken on the family.

German said his family has dealt with fear and anxiety since the murder. Telles’ attorney, Robert Draskovich, said Telles plans to appeal his conviction.

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