Judge makes the right call in handing out punishment in murder case

Judge makes the right call in handing out punishment in murder case.

By: Brian Nemorin, Staff Writer

Photo Illustration by Sydne Santiago 

The reputable Judge Michelle Leavitt satisfyingly sentenced Las Vegas-area Democratic politician Robert Telles to life in prison earlier this year for the brutal first-degree murder of investigative journalist Jeffrey German.

 And if life imprisonment was not enough, after a two-week long trial and deliberations, Leavitt added sentencing enhancements of an additional eight years for use of a deadly weapon -- a 12-inch hunting knife and the age of German, who was 70 at the time of his death in 2022.  A 12-panel jury found Telles guilty of first-degree murder.

The unpleasant, devastating news that German was found dead outside his house on Sept. 3, a day after he was stabbed with a 12-inch hunting knife, was reported with discontentment and confusion.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department identified politician Telles as a suspect and arrested him during a standoff at his house on Sept. 7. Legal officials  documented the defendant Telles’ D.N.A. was found on the journalist’s clothing along with cut-up, bloodied, sneakers and a bloodstained straw-hat.

The defendant remains held without bail at the Las Vegas, Nevada; Clark County Detention Center:  on the charge of first-degree murder. He is next due face-to-face, in-person with the judge on the date of October 26.

Leavitt  made the most educated legal decision, and by adding an additional eight years to a  life sentence, makes an emphasis that says crime never pays; even if you were a billionaire or a celebrity. 

As of today, Judge Leavitt is employed in department XII (12) in the Eighth (8th) Judicial District Court Term of Office and has been so since the year 2002. Again, compliments to the judge for her; impressive unwavering steadfast leadership, guidance and authority. She is Super-Woman, Wonder-Woman, She-Hulk and Bat-Woman; all for one and one for all.

Moving forward, Judge Leavitt will have a high legal status for years to come. She is an American hero. She held her head up firmly and remained unbiased to favoritism even though the defendant worked in the legal field with the position of politician, just as she works in the legal field with the position of courtroom Judge. To be specific, the defendant Telles worked in Nevada in Public Administration, Public Policy; which refers to the management of public programs.

As for German, he was born Milwaukee, Wisconsin. German earned a master’s degree from Marquette University, and began his career as an intern for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

German was a columnist and investigative reporter at the ‘Las Vegas Sun,’ for more than two decades, covering organized crime, government, politics, and courts. German also covered local stories like the epic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Grand Resort fire in Paradise, Nevada on November 21, 1980.

The First Amendment protects both the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Reporters and Journalists; have a right to access public places to gather and disseminate news. 

In truth and in reality, professional reporters and journalists can face violence and intimidation for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression. Some of the greatest dangers of being a reporter or journalist include physical violence, intimidation, harassment, threats of violence, imprisonment, legal repercussions for reporting, or exposure to dangerous situations like protests or conflict zones. Other threats can include online harassment, gender-based threats for female journalists and psychological stress or post traumatic stress disorder from witnessing traumatic events after reporting. Reporters and journalists working in war zones or covering organized crime often face the most significant risks. But the story is worth it, and the rights of the writer should be protected. 

As NBC Nightly news anchor Lester Holt said, “you have to go where the story is to report on it. As a journalist, you are essentially running to things that other people are running away from.”