Former Las Vegas politician guilty of murdering journalist

• Following an 11-day trial, the jury concluded the murder was "willful, deliberate and premeditated."
• "Any attempts to silence the media or to silence or intimidate a journalist will not be tolerated," Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, said.

Context: German had reported on Telles' office, disclosing bullying, favoritism and a relationship with a staffer.

• Telles was Clark County Public Administrator.

State of play: Telles faces up to life in prison, CNN reported.

• The penalty phase of the trial is set to begin Wednesday afternoon, per CNN.

What they're saying: Press freedom groups lauded the verdict.

• "We are grateful that justice has been delivered for Jeff German and that his killer will undoubtedly spend a very long time behind bars," Reporters Without Borders Executive Director Clayton Weimers said.
• "German's legacy will forever be his steadfast commitment to journalism and the stories he told about his city Las Vegas."

Context: Once considered a global leader in press freedoms, the United States' record has fallen in recent years, hitting a new low in 2024. Escalating tensions between local reporters and local law enforcement and officials in power has contributed to that decline.

Yes, but: Press freedoms in the U.S. are still much stronger than most places in the world, thanks to strong First Amendment support.

• A police chief that led a raid of a Kansas newspaper in 2023 was charged with a felony earlier this year.
• The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill in January that protects journalists from being forced to name their sources in federal court.

Go deeper: Las Vegas official arrested in connection with journalist's death