On Thursday, CNN reported on the murder of a veteran Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative reporter. The suspect, arrested on Wednesday, wasn’t tied to organized crime or any other criminal enterprise. He was a public official, Robert Telles, the elected Clark County public administrator who was defeated in his run for reelection after the reporter, Jeff German, published a series of articles reporting problems within Telles’ office (“Slain Las Vegas journalist had his alleged killer’s DNA underneath his fingernails, prosecutor tells judge“).
The public administrator “serves two important functions for residents of Clark County,” according to the county website. “The Public Administrator secures property of people who pass away in Clark County while a search for family or the decedent’s executor is performed. The Public Administrator also administers estates in court when families cannot.”
According to CNN, German was attacked outside his home mid-day on Friday, September 2. He suffered defensive knife wounds, and Telles’ DNA was found under German’s fingernails, indicating a struggle when he was ambushed and killed.
It’s the kind of story gets the attention of all reporters whose job includes holding public officials to account. It definitely got my attention. You almost can’t help worrying. Could it happen here? Do I take unnecessary risks? Locked doors and a home alarm system are probably necessary, but are they sufficient? How does this possibility factor into what we do as investigative reporters?
While German is not the only reporter to have become a murder victim, articles about the case indicate it might have been the first murder of a reporter carried out by an elected official in the U.S.
See:
“Clark County public administrator took to social media to refute investigative reporting,” Sept 7, 2022, KTNV-TV
“Las Vegas reporter remembered as fearless force after elected official, angry at journalist’s work, is arrested in his death,” NBC News, Sept 9, 2022
“Las Vegas reporter was working on another expose. The subject killed him first, authorities say,” Los Angeles Times, Sept 9, 2022
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Well we are in a state of war(s) and we need to pick our battles.
It’s always prudent to be on the offensive when you ride bikes, motorcycle or use the crosswalk in Hawai’i. Going to a show or shopping and locking doors, windows, engage the security system etc…
I certainly give kudos to the brave reporters who actually are on the ground in a foreign country war zone and to Judges and prosecutors who lock up very bad criminals…. they too must watch their backs against revenge etc.
This high profile case you are reporting on was recently updated in cb but can’t find it here yet, does clarify why public records are MISSING regarding one of the indicted etc… now there’s a guy that really has reasons to fear for his life!
I appreciate your courage and your continuing willingness to serve the public. We oughta give you a raise.
Sorry Ian. Your blog has a few dozen followers tops and your postings on CB get mostly read by political junkies and local activists. No one will pay to read CB which is why they went the non profit make a contribution route after failing at a pay system. I think given those cold hard facts you are pretty safe. Having said that, when you do actually write something serious like the Miske stuff you do a good job with the pertinent details that no one else is reporting. Mean no offense. Aloha