LAS VEGAS, Aug 29, (AP): A Democratic former politician was found guilty of murder on Wednesday by a Nevada jury that decided he'll serve 20 years to life in prison for killing an investigative journalist who wrote articles critical of his conduct in office two years ago. Robert Telles hung his head, shaking it slightly from side to side, as his verdict was read in Clark County District Court.

Jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours over three days before their unanimous vote that he ambushed and attacked Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German in a side yard of German's home. Telles didn't speak then or when he learned his sentence but appeared near tears during character witness testimony by his wife, mother and ex-wife.

His defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, told reporters outside court that his client plans to appeal. Telles, 47, was returned in custody to jail, where he has been held without bail since his arrest several days after German's body was found during Labor Day weekend 2022. His sentencing was scheduled for Oct 16. Jessica Coleman, a county employee, was among several co-workers who urged German in 2022 to investigate Telles' conduct heading the office of unclaimed estate and probate property cases.

She sobbed after the verdict was read. "Finally. Finally,” Coleman said after sitting with other co-workers through trial, which started Aug 12. "Finally the system is working.” Clark County District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt can invoke sentencing enhancements because the killing was found to be with use of a deadly weapon, willful, deliberate, premeditated, by a person who lay in wait and on a victim 60 years or older.

That could raise Telles' time in prison to a minimum of 21 years and a maximum of 28 years. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said outside the courtroom that he was surprised how long the 12 jurors deliberated before their guilty verdict. He said he believed they carefully considered evidence.