• by Ray Schultz , September 21, 2022

Robert Telles, who allegedly stabbed reporter Jeff German to death, has been arraigned on an open murder charge. 

The arraignment took place on Tuesday in Las Vegas Justice court. Telles, the Clark County Public Administrator, is being represented by a public defender, according to local news reports. 

In addition, county officials are seeking to have Telles removed from his post, saying he has neglected to perform his duties. He is being held without bail.

The killing is an unusual one in that it allegedly was committed by a politician. 

The 69 year-old German had written a series of stories in the Las Vegas Review-Journal about Telles’ alleged mismanagement of his office and charged that Telles had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Telles, a Democrat, lost his primary reelection bid, although he denied the charges.  

German reportedly was planning a follow-up story about Telles. 

 The reporter was slain outside his home on Friday, September 2, and his body was found that Saturday. 

Telles’ DNA was retrieved at the crime scene, and  police found a straw hat and shoes that resembled the ones  seen in a photo of the suspect. He was arrested on September 7.  

The slaying has inspired shock and outage.  “The murder of Jeff German is a reminder that everyday journalists around the world put their lives on the line to uncover the truth,” said Rebecca Aguilar, national president of the Society of Professional Journalists.