Jury selection is set to commence on Monday for a former Las Vegas-area politician facing charges in the murder of an investigative journalist who had written critical articles about his office.
The accused, a former Democratic Clark County administrator of estates, has been in custody since his arrest in September 2022, following the tragic death of journalist Jeff German, who was found slashed and stabbed outside his home over Labor Day weekend.
German, a highly respected journalist with deep connections in Las Vegas, had dedicated 44 years to reporting on various issues including the courts, organized crime, government corruption, political scandals, and mass shootings.
Prosecutors allege that articles written by German in early 2022, which highlighted turmoil within Telles' county office, served as a motive for the killing.
The accused, who has pleaded not guilty to open murder, could face life imprisonment if convicted. He has been incarcerated since his arrest and has had his law license suspended.
More than 100 potential jurors have been screened for the trial, with the selection process expected to last several days. Testimony is projected to span less than two weeks, with prosecutors not pursuing the death penalty.
Prior to the trial, a final motion to dismiss the case against Telles will be heard by Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt. The accused has raised concerns about the legality of his detention, deletion of crucial evidence, and the exclusion of certain blood test results.
Despite facing legal challenges and changes in legal representation, Telles has expressed eagerness to present his side of the story in court.
Prosecutors claim to possess compelling evidence, including DNA evidence linking Telles to the crime scene and physical items resembling those worn by the perpetrator captured on video.
The trial proceedings were delayed due to a legal dispute involving the protection of confidential sources on the victim's electronic devices. However, the review process is expected to conclude in time for the trial to proceed as scheduled.
Telles is also seeking to prevent the introduction of testimony related to workplace hostility and discrimination lawsuits against him and Clark County.
