Telles Denies Murder Charges Amid Emotional Testimony and Allegations of Conspiracy

True Crime Today | A True Crime Podcast

Robert Telles, the former Clark County Public Administrator accused of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German, took the stand once again on Thursday, where he not only denied the charges against him but also suggested a broad conspiracy by law enforcement to frame him.
The day began with Telles questioning the evidence presented against him, particularly focusing on a photo of the suspected killer’s pants. After a significant delay in court, Telles compared the jeans taken into evidence with the photo, asserting that the two did not match. "Those pants do not match the ‘killer’s jeans,’” Telles argued, as defense attorney Robert Draskovich presented the items in question.
Telles also recounted his distress during the police search of his home, becoming visibly emotional on the stand. As photos of his residence post-search were displayed, he began to sob, describing the media surrounding his house and the cold conditions he endured in detention. "I spent all day cold in a paper suit," Telles lamented.
Throughout his testimony, Telles maintained his innocence in the murder of Jeff German. He emphatically denied cutting up a shoe or hat and hiding them in his home, as well as using a bag associated with his children’s sports activities in the commission of a crime. “I did not kill Mr. German,” Telles declared, challenging the accusations against him.
The former public administrator went further, claiming that the evidence against him was part of a police conspiracy. He suggested that DNA evidence found at the crime scene had been planted and that Detective Derek Jappe was involved in framing him. Telles described the alleged conspiracy as an effort to “plug holes” in the case, asserting that police officers were behind the manipulation of evidence.
During cross-examination, state attorney Chris Hamner probed Telles on several inconsistencies in his statements and actions. Hamner questioned Telles about the shoes found at his home, the Google Street View images of German’s neighborhood discovered on his phone, and his lack of outgoing messages during the time of the murder. Hamner highlighted the similarity between the rims on Telles’ SUV and those on the suspect vehicle seen near the crime scene, as well as the presence of Telles’ DNA under German’s fingernails.
Telles attempted to explain these discrepancies by reiterating his belief in a conspiracy. He argued that the images and evidence found on his phone were planted and that the entire narrative was constructed to frame him for the murder. However, Hamner pressed him on these points, particularly focusing on the lack of evidence supporting his claims and the fact that no other suspects had been identified.
In a particularly intense moment, Hamner asked Telles about his relationship with Jeff German and whether he believed the journalist's articles had affected his chances in the primary election for Clark County Public Administrator. Telles admitted that he was upset by German’s reporting and believed it had influenced the election outcome, but he stopped short of admitting any motive for the alleged crime.
The trial, which has garnered significant public attention, is set to continue on Friday morning. As the cross-examination of Robert Telles resumes, the jury will weigh the emotional testimony, the allegations of conspiracy, and the evidence presented as they move closer to a verdict in this high-profile case.
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