LAS VEGAS — The trial of a local politician accused of murdering an investigative reporter will begin on Monday in Nevada, with jury selection set to take place in a case that has shocked both the city and the journalism community.
Tom Pitaro, a veteran defense attorney in Las Vegas, described the murder of reporter Jeff German as an incident that “turned everything upside down.” For 44 years, German cultivated trusted sources within the city’s government and judiciary.
German’s death has raised questions about the tensions between public officials and the press, especially since Pitaro once taught the accused, Robert Telles, in law school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The shocking nature of the case was highlighted by the fact that it involved a journalist who was slain in a country where journalists are increasingly facing danger. German, 69, was the only journalist killed in the U.S. in 2022 and was among 67 media workers who lost their lives globally that year, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Originally hailing from Milwaukee, German was regarded for his investigative reporting on organized crime, government corruption, and political scandals, contributing to major publications in Las Vegas.
Prosecutors allege that German’s reporting in early 2022 about Telles and a troubled county office served as a motive for the murder. German was found brutally slain in his yard, with criminal complaints alleging that Telles lay in wait for him.
Telles, 47, was arrested shortly after, following the release of video footage showing a suspect wearing distinctive clothing resembling that of Telles near the crime scene.
After becoming a lawyer in 2015, Telles ran for Clark County administrator of estates, only to lose his position following his arrest. His law license has since been suspended.
Telles has pleaded not guilty to the charge of open murder and could face life imprisonment if convicted. He remains incarcerated as he prepares for trial, expressing eagerness to present his defense.
Over 100 potential jurors are being questioned this week regarding their knowledge of the case, with the selection process expected to last several days. Testimony is projected to take less than two weeks. Notably, prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty in this case.
However, before proceedings commence, Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt will address a request from Telles to dismiss the charges against him, citing alleged illegal detention and the mishandling of evidence during his arrest.
Telles’s defense team claims critical evidence was improperly deleted and not submitted during the trial. Despite previous attempts to dismiss the case, Leavitt has consistently rejected such motions.
Relatives of German have remained silent regarding the trial, with a spokesperson noting that they have chosen not to comment.
Prosecutors assert that they possess substantial DNA evidence connecting Telles to the crime scene, along with other items found at his residence that match those seen in the surveillance footage the night of the murder.
Efforts to expedite Telles’s trial have faced delays, in part due to legal battles regarding the protection of confidential sources found on German’s devices, which have now been cleared for review by law enforcement.
Telles has also made requests to limit information disclosed at trial regarding a hostile work environment and a pending discrimination lawsuit involving his previous office.
The rarity of journalist killings within the United States has underscored the gravity of this case. Advocates emphasize that safeguarding the ability of journalists to operate freely is essential for ensuring governmental accountability.
