Judge denies Telles’ requested hearing over jury statements on murder trial
A Las Vegas judge has denied Robert Telles’ request for an additional court hearing over statements jury members made after finding him guilty of murdering Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter Jeff German.
Telles, the former Clark County Public Administrator, was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing German in Septembet 2022 over articles the journalist had written about Telles’ conduct as an elected official. His defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, requested an evidentiary hearing last month to clarify statements jurors made to local media.
District Judge Michele Leavitt did not elaborate on her reasoning for denying Telles’ request during a court hearing Wednesday morning. Prosecutors argued that state law prevents jurors from being questioned about their “mental process” during deliberations.
Telles’ defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, argued in a motion that several jurors may have had outside knowledge of the case. But prosecutors said in a motion of their own that there’s no “legal basis to entertain this request,” because Telles isn’t asking for a new trial based on a claim of juror misconduct.
This is a developing story. Cbeck back for updates.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240.
