Aformer elected official in Las Vegas was found guilty Wednesday in the killing of a journalist who wrote critical stories about him.
On Labor Day weekend 2022, former Clark County public administrator Robert Telles was convicted of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon for killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.
The prosecution has indicated it won't pursue the death penalty. The jury, which said it found the murder to be "willful, deliberate and premeditated," is set to hear further evidence before deciding on a sentence.
Telles could get life in prison without parole, life with the possibility of parole after 20 years or 50 years in prison with a chance at parole after 20 years. The use of a deadly weapon may also add to the sentence.
“He took the life of an individual who was simply doing his job,” prosecutor Christopher Hamner said at closing arguments.
District Attorney Steve Wolfson said the verdict sent a message that attacks against members of the media won't be tolerated.
The case drew national attention as the only instance of a news media worker being killed that year in the U.S. among 69 across the world, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.