Jury Begins Deliberations in Robert Telles Murder Trial

True Crime Today | A True Crime Podcast

A panel of jurors began deliberations on Monday in the high-profile murder trial of Robert Telles, the former Clark County public administrator accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in September 2022. Telles has been on trial since August 12, 2024, with the jury receiving all evidence by the end of last week.
State prosecutors argue there is overwhelming evidence connecting Telles to the murder, including DNA evidence discovered under German's fingernails. The prosecution contends that this evidence, alongside other testimony presented during the trial, proves Telles' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Judge Michelle Leavitt provided the jurors with instructions to guide their deliberations. Channel 13 obtained a copy of these instructions, which consist of 32 specific directives outlining the legal parameters the jury must consider in reaching a verdict.
Following the judge's instructions, state prosecutor Pamela Weckerly delivered the closing arguments for the prosecution. Weckerly methodically reviewed all the evidence presented during witness testimony, highlighting the connections between Telles and the crime scene. She challenged Telles' claims of being part of a conspiracy, stating, "At the end of his testimony, he explained that he's a victim. Or maybe, it's not he was wronged. Maybe he's the one in the wrong."
Telles' attorney, Robert Draskovich, then presented his closing arguments, emphasizing the lack of definitive proof tying his client to the murder. Draskovich pointed to a screen grab from a surveillance video showing a Yukon Denali, suggesting that the person captured in the footage had hair, while Telles is clearly bald. "It's the state's burden, and the state's burden alone, to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt," Draskovich argued, reinforcing the defense's position that there is reasonable doubt regarding Telles' involvement.
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner delivered a rebuttal, countering the defense's arguments and dismissing Telles' claims of a conspiracy involving the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and a real estate group, Compass Realty & Management. Hamner questioned the plausibility of such a wide-ranging conspiracy, asking the jurors, "Why would all these entities, government workers, and small business owners be willing to sacrifice everything to murder Jeff German?"
Hamner also addressed Telles' claim that the police were framing him, highlighting an incident where Detective Derek Jappe saved Telles' life while he was attempting to commit suicide during his arrest. "If Metro was in on a conspiracy to get Telles, why didn’t they let him die in a tub?" Hamner asked, challenging the logic of Telles' narrative. Throughout the rebuttal, Telles was visibly agitated, often putting his hand on his face, making facial expressions, and shaking his head.
Detective Jappe, who was investigating claims of bribery involving Telles and Compass Realty & Management at the time of German's murder, was present in the courtroom during the closing arguments, along with Detectives Taylor Tolliver and Justine Gatus. District Attorney Steve Wolfson and members of Jeff German's family also attended, as they have throughout the trial.
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