The DNA of the Las Vegas official arrested for the homicide of a Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter was found by police. Las Vegas Metro Police Department officials announced details of their investigation of reporter Jeff German’s stabbing death during a Thursday press conference (at 19-minute mark).
Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles was arrested by police shortly after their investigation began, based on distinctive clothing and a conspicuous vehicle traced to him. Investigators confirmed Telles’ DNA was found under the fingernails of the murdered reporter.
CBS News further reported:
Clark County Public Administrator Robert “Rob” Telles, a Democrat, was taken into custody at his home by police SWAT officers hours after investigators served a search warrant and confiscated vehicles in the criminal probe of the killing of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, Sheriff Joe Lombardo told the newspaper.
The 45-year-old Telles, who faces a charge of open murder with a deadly weapon, appeared in front of a Las Vegas judge for the first time following his arrest. Prosecutors said he barricaded himself in his home during a stand-off with police and was found with cuts on his arms.
Prosecutors said German was found stabbed seven times outside his home and DNA from German’s hands matched Telles’. Wounds on German’s arms and hands indicate that he likely fought for his life, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors added that Telles cased the neighborhood before the attack.
Telles’ next court appearance is set for September 13.
Acknowledging that the investigation is ongoing and still in its early stages, authorities said at a news conference earlier Thursday that Telles’ DNA was found at the site of the stabbing.
Authorities said surveillance footage showed a suspect wearing an orange jacket, straw hat and sneakers walking near German’s home around the time they believe the stabbing took place on Sept. 2. When Las Vegas police confiscated evidence from Telles’ residence on a search warrant during his Wednesday arrest, they found a straw hat and sneaker that matched those worn by the suspect on video, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Captain Dori Koren. The hat had been cut into pieces, Koren said, and the shoe was partially cut and appeared to be stained with blood in what police believe was an effort to destroy evidence.
“This a terrible and jarring homicide,” Lombardo said during the news conference. “One that has deeply impacted Las Vegas.”
“Every murder is tragic, but the killing of a journalist is particularly troublesome.”
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