Colbert Convicted in Manzano Death; White Acquitted

A Jefferson Parish jury convicted Danette Colbert, 49, of negligent homicide and racketeering in the February 2025 death of Telemundo sports reporter Adan Manzano, who was in Kenner covering Super Bowl LIX. Rickey White, 35, was convicted of racketeering but acquitted of negligent homicide. Prosecutors said Colbert, White and other accomplices operated a yearslong scheme that involved luring victims from New Orleans’ French Quarter, drugging them and stealing their phones, cards, money and other property, and alleged Manzano was targeted in the same way. Medical testimony indicated Manzano died from positional asphyxia after ingesting alcohol and alprazolam, while the defense argued there was no proof Colbert administered the drug or directly caused his death. A cooperating codefendant and other alleged victims testified about the operation.