Key Testimonies Link Robert Telles to Murder of Journalist Jeff German
Aug 19, 10:00 AM
Eight witnesses provided crucial testimony on the fourth day of the murder trial of former Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, who stands accused of killing Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German. The trial, which has captured widespread attention, is centered on allegations that Telles, 47, murdered German in response to a series of articles the journalist wrote about his conduct and internal turmoil within the county office.
During the day's proceedings, former Metropolitan Police Department detective Cliff Mogg provided critical evidence connecting Telles to the crime scene. Mogg testified about his analysis of surveillance footage that captured a maroon Yukon Denali, identified as the suspect's vehicle, near German's home. He noted a distinctive feature of the vehicle—the rear lift gate, where the license plate appeared dark in one image but displayed a white spot in another, matching the specialty plate on Telles's vehicle.
When Telles's defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, questioned Mogg's conclusions, the detective confidently responded, "I was present for the execution of a search warrant at Mr. Telles' residence where several items of evidence were recovered. That absolutely confirmed my belief that Mr. Telles' vehicle was the one used in the commission of Jeffrey German’s murder."
Further testimony came from real estate agent Zackary Schilling, who had worked with Telles in the public administrator’s office. Schilling testified that he recognized the suspect in the surveillance footage based on the individual's walk, shoes, and the vehicle seen driving away from the crime scene.
"Boy, that really looks like somebody I know," Schilling recalled thinking when he first saw the footage. When asked by Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner who he believed the suspect was, Schilling answered, "I was thinking of Mr. Telles."
Schilling also identified the suspect’s shoes as "the cheap Nikes he always wore," a detail that further solidified his recognition. He mentioned discussing the footage with his colleague, Kristen Riffle, who also testified, and they both agreed that the person in the footage appeared to be Telles.
"It just came down my spine," Schilling said in court, describing his realization that the vehicle in the footage matched Telles's car. "I didn’t want to believe it, but the facts are the facts. That was Rob Telles’ car."
The day's testimony also included harrowing details from Stephanie Yagi, a medical examiner with the Clark County coroner’s office. As the autopsy photos were displayed in court, Telles appeared to grimace, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by those in attendance.
Yagi described the 13 injuries German sustained during the attack, including six stab wounds, seven incise wounds, and a slash on his throat. She also noted defensive injuries on German's hands, indicating that he may have attempted to fend off the attack.
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During the day's proceedings, former Metropolitan Police Department detective Cliff Mogg provided critical evidence connecting Telles to the crime scene. Mogg testified about his analysis of surveillance footage that captured a maroon Yukon Denali, identified as the suspect's vehicle, near German's home. He noted a distinctive feature of the vehicle—the rear lift gate, where the license plate appeared dark in one image but displayed a white spot in another, matching the specialty plate on Telles's vehicle.
When Telles's defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, questioned Mogg's conclusions, the detective confidently responded, "I was present for the execution of a search warrant at Mr. Telles' residence where several items of evidence were recovered. That absolutely confirmed my belief that Mr. Telles' vehicle was the one used in the commission of Jeffrey German’s murder."
Further testimony came from real estate agent Zackary Schilling, who had worked with Telles in the public administrator’s office. Schilling testified that he recognized the suspect in the surveillance footage based on the individual's walk, shoes, and the vehicle seen driving away from the crime scene.
"Boy, that really looks like somebody I know," Schilling recalled thinking when he first saw the footage. When asked by Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner who he believed the suspect was, Schilling answered, "I was thinking of Mr. Telles."
Schilling also identified the suspect’s shoes as "the cheap Nikes he always wore," a detail that further solidified his recognition. He mentioned discussing the footage with his colleague, Kristen Riffle, who also testified, and they both agreed that the person in the footage appeared to be Telles.
"It just came down my spine," Schilling said in court, describing his realization that the vehicle in the footage matched Telles's car. "I didn’t want to believe it, but the facts are the facts. That was Rob Telles’ car."
The day's testimony also included harrowing details from Stephanie Yagi, a medical examiner with the Clark County coroner’s office. As the autopsy photos were displayed in court, Telles appeared to grimace, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by those in attendance.
Yagi described the 13 injuries German sustained during the attack, including six stab wounds, seven incise wounds, and a slash on his throat. She also noted defensive injuries on German's hands, indicating that he may have attempted to fend off the attack.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com