Robert Telles, charged with murder in death of journalist Jeff German, takes the stand: "Somebody framed me for this"
Robert Telles, the former Clark County public administrator accused of murder in the 2022 death of Las Vegas journalist Jeff German, took the stand in his own defense Wednesday.
In lengthy testimony, Telles maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed and that he sustained what prosecutors allege are incriminating injuries while preparing a meal for his daughter.
"Somebody framed me for this," Telles said, according to CBS Las Vegas affiliate KLAS-TV. "Something funny was going on," he added.
German, 69, was found stabbed to death outside his home.
Prosecutors have argued that Telles was motivated by German's coverage of his office, which painted a picture of a county administration in turmoil and included allegations that Telles had an inappropriate relationship with a female co-worker. Telles derided German and the newspaper he worked for, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, on social media.
Telles, 47, has pleaded not guilty. He told Judge Michelle Leavitt in court on Tuesday he understood he was under no obligation to testify. His attorneys, Robert Draskovich and Michael Horvath, said outside court Tuesday they advised Telles against testifying, but he has insisted.
The defense called three other witnesses, including a witness who corroborated Telles' account that he visited a local membership gym the day of the murder. The defense attorney said Telles was expected to be the last person called, as no family members or character witnesses are scheduled. Telles' testimony could take more than a day.
"He's entitled to his defense," Draskovich told reporters. "This is the defense that he wants to present."
His defense team called two witnesses Tuesday: a clinical and forensic psychologist, who testified that slashes found on Telles' wrists when he was arrested at home by Las Vegas police should not be interpreted as a sign of a guilty conscience, and a woman testified she called police to report she thought a person seen on a video news report wearing an orange outfit walking near German's home resembled someone she saw at a park a few days before the killing. She did not identify Telles in court.
The prosecution rested its case Monday after spending four days building their case against Telles, including calling 28 witnesses and presenting hundreds of pages of photos, police reports and video evidence against him.
