Jeff German was a veteran journalist who was murdered by former Las Vegas politician Robert Telles after he published a series of negative stories about him.
German, 69, was found dead in September 2022 after writing unflattering articles about the former Clark County public defender, including allegations of “bullying” and “hostility” in the workplace and an alleged affair between him and a staff member.
After a high-profile trial, Telles, 47, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing that left the late Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter dead.
Telles, 47, looked somber in court Wednesday, dressed in a gray suit, white shirt and yellow tie. He stood before a jury of seven women and five men who decided his fate.
He later returned to prison, where he has been held since his arrest a few days after German’s body was discovered.
German was found stabbed to death outside his home on September 3 after reporting extensively on Telles’ public office and allegedly inappropriate relationship with a staff member
After a high-profile trial, Telles (pictured) was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday in the fatal stabbing that left the late Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter dead.
Who was journalist Jeff German?
German was born in 19530 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Jewish parents Max and June German.
In addition to his decades-long career in journalism, German, a single bachelor, also devoted himself to his family and the Las Vegas community.
German had a brother, Jay German, and two sisters, Jill Zwerg and Julie Smith. All three testified on the stand at the trial.
He was also a “fantastic uncle,” his sisters said KTNVand added that he never missed a birthday.
German earned a master’s degree from Marquette University and soon began his journalism career as an intern at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
He later became a columnist and investigative reporter at the Las Vegas Sun, where he remained for more than 20 years, reporting on crime, courts and politics.
Before being fired by the Las Vegas Sun in 2009, German wrote a true crime novel, “Murder in Sin City,” and wrote and hosted a podcast series called “Mobbed Up: The Fight for Las Vegas.”
In addition to his decades-long career in journalism, German also devoted himself to his family and the Las Vegas community
German had a brother, Jay German, and two sisters, Jill Zwerg and Julie Smith. All three testified on the stand during the trial. (Photo: Jill and Jay leave the courtroom Wednesday)
In 2010, he went to work for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he was the first to report that the gunman in the Las Vegas mass shooting had first fired at two jet tanks, before turning to the music festival in 2017.
Who is Robert Telles?
Robert Telles is the father of three children and married to Mary Ann Ismeal.
Ismeal has been seen in court supporting Telles since his arrest two years ago. She also testified at the trial, revealing the chilling three-word text she sent to her husband on September 2 — the day before German was found dead.
Before Telles was arrested for German’s death, he was a Democratic clerk in Clark County.
According to a police report obtained by KTNVTelles and Ismeal were involved in domestic violence after attending the Bellagio in 2020.
During the meeting, Telles, who had had a little too much to drink, is said to have grabbed his wife by the neck and told her, “Kill me!” after he had refused to go to bed that night.
In October 2022, the Review Journal reported that Telles owned six properties between Nevada and Arkansas.
Before his arrest for German’s death, Telles was a Democratic public official from Clark County
Robert Telles is a father of three who is married to Mary Ann Ismeal (pictured together). She was seen at his court hearings and also testified
How did Robert Telles kill him?
Prosecutors said Telles walked into German’s yard at 11:18 a.m. on September 3 and waited five minutes before the reporter came out of his home.
When German walked outside, he was attacked and stabbed to death.
According to police, Telles’ DNA was found in German’s fingernails. They also saw his car near the victim’s home and collected clothing items matching the killer’s description from Telles’ home.
The clothes – tennis shoes and a straw hat – were already torn when they were found in Telles’ house.
Surveillance footage showed a suspect wearing gray shoes and a straw hat, which were later found at Telles’ home. Telles claims all of the evidence was planted.
Prosecutors say Telles walked into German’s side yard at 11:18 a.m. on Sept. 3 and waited for five minutes before walking away. When German left his home, he was immediately attacked and stabbed to death. (Photo: Telles at his October 2022 bail hearing)
Telles was arrested after his DNA was found under German’s fingernails. He maintained his innocence during his two-year detention and claimed he had been framed. (Photo: Telles and German in May 2022)
Telles was arrested after his DNA was found under German’s fingernails. He maintained his innocence during his two-year detention, claiming he had been framed. He had pleaded not guilty.
Telles insisted he was framed in a 90-minute argument to the jury last week, saying the whole ordeal was “frankly a nightmare.”
“I am absolutely innocent,” he said. “I did not kill Mr. German.”
What were Robert Telles’ motives?
According to an article written by German in May 2022, Several former and past employees of Telles alleged that he experienced a “hostile work environment,” “emotional distress,” “bullying” and “favoritism.”
German also discovered an alleged extramarital affair between Telles and his co-worker, Roberta Lee-Kennett, 45.
German had published a series of articles accusing Telles of having an affair with co-worker Roberta Lee-Kennett, 45, (pictured) and facilitating a toxic work environment
According to an article German wrote in May 2022, several former and current employees of Telles alleged that he experienced a “hostile work environment,” “emotional distress,” “bullying,” and “favoritism.”
Employees told German that Lee-Kennett “in some instances acted as an office supervisor, in addition to her duties as one of several estate coordinators, because of her privileged position at Telles.”
Although the journalist understood Telles’ position on the allegations, it is believed that he killed him because of his negative reporting.
What is Robert Telles’ punishment?
Tellese was found guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday.
He was sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after 20 years.