Former Nevada Dem official pleads not guilty in stabbing death of journalist; the state will not seek the death penalty

Nevada prosecutors said Wednesday they would not seek the death penalty in the capital murder case against Robert Telles, a former Clark County official accused of stabbing an investigative reporter to death in Las Vegas. last month.

Telles, 45, has pleaded not guilty to the murder with a weapon of a victim aged 60 or older and could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

Prosecutors allege Telles targeted Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, 69, after the reporter published reports criticizing Telles’ conduct as head of the Clark County Public Administrator’s Office.

Robert Telles in a Las Vegas courtroom after being arrested in the stabbing death of Jeff German.
(Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

German reported in May this year that the office had a « hostile work environment » fueled by Telles’ « inappropriate relationship » with a staff member. Telles, a Democrat, lost his re-election bid the following month.

Telles allegedly stabbed German seven times shortly before noon on September 2 at the journalist’s home.

JUDGE DESCRIBES OFFICIALS MUST WAIT TO ACCESS MURDERED JOURNALIST’S CELL PHONE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Prosecutors say Telles’ DNA was found under German’s fingernails and surveillance video showed Telles walking near German’s house while wearing a reflective vest and large straw hat shortly before the attack . A similar hat was later found at Telles’ home during a search, according to police.

A lawyer for Telles did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Investigative journalist Jeff German poses for a portrait at the Review-Journal photo studio in Las Vegas.
(Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

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After German’s death, his family said he « dedicated his life to his work exposing wrongdoing in Las Vegas and beyond. »

« We are shocked, saddened and angry by his death, » the family statement read. « Jeff is committed to seeking justice for others and would appreciate the hard work of local police and journalists in the pursuit of his killer. We look forward to seeing justice done in this case. »

The Associated Press contributed to this report.