Robert Telles sentenced to 28 years to life for murder of Las Vegas journalist

A former Clark County elected official was sentenced Wednesday to 28 years to life in prison for killing a Las Vegas journalist.

Robert Telles returned to court for a sentencing hearing after he was convicted for the 2022 murder of Review-Journal reporter Jeff German.

The hearing started with Deputy District Attorney Pamela Weckerly asking for the maximum enhancement, citing the "political violence" of the crime, German's age of 69, and the impact of his death on his family and the Las Vegas community.

Telles and his attorney, Robert Draskovich, asked Judge Michelle Leavitt for less than the maximum.

"I understand the desire to seek justice and have somebody accountable for this, but I did not kill Mr. German," Telles said in court.

German's brother, Jay, followed with a brief victim impact statement, describing the emotional suffered from Jeff German's death.

"We have a lot of anxiety about the future safety of our family ... and the children of our family if Robert Telles were to be released after just 20 years of incarceration," Jay German said.

After hearing the statements, Leavitt sentenced Telles to life in prison for the murder conviction, with parole eligibility after 20 years. She also added eight to 20 consecutive years for a deadly weapon enhancement, for a total of 28 years to life. Telles will receive credit for about two years of time served for his pre-trial detention.

after a two-week trial and three days of deliberations. The same jury also recommended he be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison following a penalty phase, which was held immediately after the verdict was rendered.

Prosecutors said Telles lied in wait for German outside of the latter's home and stabbed him to death. They argued Telles retaliated for a series of s German wrote about Telles' tenure as Clark County public administrator, including allegations of creating a hostile work environment and having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.

DNA found on German's body during an autopsy was a match for Telles, according to prosecutors, and s of clothing matching those worn by the assailant were found inside Telles' home.

Telles has maintained he is innocent. His defense argued that he was framed for German's murder after trying to investigate corruption in the public administrator's office.

Draskovich that he expects Telles to file an appeal after sentencing. Draskovich said he would not be involved in the appeals process, and he filed a motion Tuesday to withdraw as counsel.

Leavitt granted the motion after sentencing Wednesday, and Telles will now be represented by an attorney with the Clark County Public Defender's Office.