LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas jury's deliberations continue in the trial of Robert Telles, the former Clark County public administrator accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in September 2022.
Prosecutors believe German's reporting on the public administrator's office were a motive in the killing. Telles lost his bid for re-election in June 2022, shortly after German published a series of articles detailing allegations of inappropriate behavior and a hostile work environment at the public agency.
From Aug. 12 to Aug. 23, a jury heard witness testimony and all the evidence presented in the case. Closing arguments were presented by the state and defense on Monday, and the jury began their deliberations on Monday afternoon.
Their discussions continued Tuesday, and they're expected to resume Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
During deliberations, the jury asked three more questions.
Answers:
— Jaewon Jung (@jaewonnews) August 27, 2024
1) They will get another laptop.
2) The side by side walk was not marked as evidence.
3) They will be referred to jury instructions.#TellesTrial @KTNV
Members of the media, Telles' former employees and German's family have been waiting outside the courtroom.
Tuesday afternoon, Channel 13 spoke with workers at the public administrator's office who expressed surprise at the length of time the jury has deliberated.
We asked them how they would feel if there was an acquittal.
"I think it would be a death sentence for us," said Aleisha Goodwin.
Rita Reid, the current public administrator, said she wouldn't be happy with an acquittal, either.
"What I'm going to feel is not going to be a good feeling," Reid said. "I think it's going to be painful."
If the jury convicts Telles, they will go back into the deliberation room to discuss a recommended punishment based on the charges. If found guilty, Telles could spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
