A former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician convicted of killing an investigative journalist was sentenced to at least 28 years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole.
The judge invoked sentencing enhancements to add eight years to the minimum 20 years 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 during 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 the elected administrator of a Clark County office that handles unclaimed estate and probate property cases.
“We lost a brother, we lost an uncle, a friend, a leader. We are still in shock and it’s been two years. It’s going to take a long time to recover from this,” German’s brother Jay told the courtroom just prior to Telles’ sentencing. “We have a lot of anxiety about the future safety of our family… if Robert Telles were to be released after just 20 years’ incarceration.”
German was found slashed and stabbed to death in a side yard outside his home, where Telles is accused in a criminal complaint of “lying in wait” for German to come outside.
Telles, who also spoke Wednesday, denied any responsibility for German’s death.
“The family has my deepest condolences, Mr. German was very impactful in the community, he made a difference, and we know from testimony by the family that he was a good brother and a good uncle. And I understand the desire to seek justice and have somebody accountable for this,” Telles said. “But I did not kill Mr. German. And unfortunately the people who should be held responsible, who should be brought to justice, the chances of that happening now — right this minute — are slim to none. That said, again my deepest sympathies to the family and I wish them well as they navigate the rest of this tragedy.”
Telles’ attorney, Robert Draskovich, has said Telles intends to appeal his conviction.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
