Vegas official Robert Telles accused in Jeff German murder smiles, seen handcuffed around bandages from suicide attempt
The Las Vegas official accused of killing a journalist who wrote negative stories about him was all smiles during his first court appearance Tuesday — as prosecutors slapped him with premeditated murder charges.
Disgraced Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, handcuffed around his bandaged wrists and arms, smirked and nodded at the judge during his brief arraignment.
Telles, 45, is accused of “lying in wait” outside 69-year-old Jeff German’s home on Sept. 2 before stabbing the veteran journalist to death.
Prosecutors said the crime was a “willful, deliberate and premeditated” murder, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.
German, of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, covered public corruption and had previously exposed Telles’ workplace misconduct, including an alleged ‘inappropriate relationship’ he was having with estate coordinator Roberta Lee-Kennett, 45, who is also married.
On Tuesday, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told reporters he did not anticipate pressing additional charges against Telles, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Telles’ defense attorney, Travis Shelter, said he “needed more time” and asked to continue the hearing for another week, which the judge allowed.
“We consider him to be a flight risk and a danger to the community, so when the bail issue arises, we’re going to argue for a very high bail,” Wolfson said after the court hearing.
Investigators said DNA found under German’s fingernails matched samples taken from Telles, which lead to his arrest.
During a press conference on Sept.8, Capt. Dori Koren, head of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Homicide and Sex Crimes Bureau, said investigators also found a straw hat and gray sneakers at Telles’ home that were cut into several pieces, which was a “likely attempt to destroy evidence.”
Video surveillance from near the crime scene showed a man wearing a large straw hat, an orange shirt with reflective stripes, black pants and gray sneakers walking to and from German’s home on Sept 3.
German was found unresponsive and lying outside of his home at around 11:30 a.m.
At the time of his death German had been seeking further information, including copies of text messages, sent by Telles. The Public Administrator, a Democrat, had been running for re-election when German’s stories were first published. He then lost a primary in June.
Telles is scheduled to appear back in court for his arraignment on Sept. 20.
