Clark County prosecutors are telling the Nevada Supreme Court that former county official Robert Telles got a fair shake at his 2024 murder trial, despite his claims to the contrary. In a new filing, the state says the record does not back up Telles’ complaints about how jurors were handled, what testimony was kept out, or alleged bias in the panel. Telles remains convicted in the 2022 killing of Las Vegas Review‑Journal reporter Jeff German and is serving a life sentence with a chance at parole after 28 years.
DA disputes jury-handling and witness complaints
In its response, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office argues that Telles "was not denied the right to present a complete defense" and that the opinions of the expert witness he wanted to call are "objectionable." Prosecutors also say the trial judge did not mishandle juror notes during deliberations and that there is no evidence of misconduct during jury selection, according to KTNV.
What Telles' appeal raises
Telles’ appeal zeroes in on several issues: the exclusion of his proposed defense expert, the way the court dealt with jury notes including a reported deadlock, and whether the voir dire process chilled some potential jurors from speaking freely. Those arguments are laid out in detail in the appellant’s opening brief.
What happens next
The Nevada Supreme Court has not set a date for oral argument or any hearing on the appeal, and the prosecutor’s filing serves as the state’s formal answer to Telles’ claims. The DA’s brief urges the justices to stick closely to the trial record and deny the relief Telles is seeking, per KTNV.
Case background
A jury found Robert Telles guilty in August 2024 of murdering longtime investigative reporter Jeff German, and a judge later added sentencing enhancements that pushed his minimum parole eligibility to 28 years, according to The Associated Press. German was found dead in September 2022, and the killing spurred extensive reporting on Telles’ conduct in office and the criminal case that followed.
Legal stakes
If the Nevada Supreme Court finds reversible error, the remedies could range from a narrow evidentiary hearing to, in rare cases, a new trial. Appellate courts, however, typically require a showing that any mistake at trial actually affected the verdict. For now, the DA maintains that the record undercuts Telles’ arguments and is asking the high court to keep the conviction in place.
