The murder trial against Robert Telles -- the former Clark County public administrator accused of killing journalist Jeff German in September 2022 -- commenced with opening statements on Wednesday.

Telles, 47, is accused of fatally stabbing the Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter outside his residence. This incident followed an investigation into corruption in Telles' office, which ultimately ruined his political career and marriage. German's article highlighted the purported hostile work environment in Telles' office, which included claims of bullying, retaliation, and an "inappropriate relationship" between Telles and a staff member. Telles refuted these allegations.

In her initial statement on Wednesday, Chief Deputy District Attorney Pamela Weckerly outlined the chronology of the murder and how Telles emerged as the suspect.

"Ultimately, this case isn't about politics," Weckerly stated. "It's not about alleged improper relationships. It's not about who's a good leader or who's a good supervisor or favoritism in the workplace -- it's simply about murder."

Telles was taken into custody days after German was discovered deceased outside his Las Vegas residence. DNA evidence found in Telles' home linked him to the crime scene, according to law enforcement officials, and a straw hat and sneakers -- which the suspect was observed wearing in surveillance footage -- were found dismantled in his home.

His DNA was also detected on German's hands and fingernails, law enforcement officials reported.

Police apprehended Telles with what they described as non-life-threatening, self-inflicted stab wounds.

Telles' attorney, Robert Draskovich, defended his client in his initial statement, suggesting he was wrongly accused of German's death.

Draskovich stated that the "old guard" in the public administrator's office was angered by Telles' attempts to expose and eliminate internal corruption.

He also alleged that, given German's history of reporting on corrupt individuals, other individuals might have sought to cause him harm.

"There were others who had far stronger motives to make it appear as if [Telles] was the killer, and to carry out this murder because Jeff German was a skilled reporter -- he would eventually uncover the truth," Draskovich said.

Draskovich suggested Telles should be presumed innocent due to the absence of DNA evidence found in his car and on his clothing, and said police "never definitively identified" a car at the crime scene -- which matched the description of Telles' car -- as his.

He also emphasized that Telles' mobile phone was not detected in the vicinity at the time of the homicide. Police authorities have indicated they believe Telles left his phone at his residence during the alleged murder.

Draskovich asserted that Telles's suicide attempt was not motivated by guilt, but rather by a sense that his "life was unraveling."

Draskovich spoke favorably of Telles, highlighting his career and describing him as a "devoted father and husband."

"He's a family man," the defense attorney said.

Testimony in the case against Telles is now being presented, and Draskovich has stated that Telles will take the stand during the trial.

Telles has maintained his innocence to two counts of murder and could face a life sentence if convicted.

German was the only journalist killed in the United States in 2022. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported at least 67 journalists were killed globally in 2022.

Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo previously characterized the case against Telles as "unusual," and stated that "the murder of a journalist is particularly concerning."

"It is concerning because he was a journalist. We rely on journalism to be open, transparent, and to hold government accountable," Lombardo said. "And when individuals take it upon themselves to harm those in this profession, I believe it's crucial we address the case thoroughly and appropriately, as we have done in this instance."