Full Breakdown
Louisiana Woman Convicted in Death of Telemundo Reporter
By Drooid · · How we work
Conviction and Charges
A Jefferson Parish jury found Danette Colbert, 49, guilty of negligent homicide for the death of Telemundo reporter Adan Manzano and also guilty of racketeering. Her alleged accomplice, 35-year-old Rickey White, was convicted of racketeering but was acquitted of manslaughter. Prosecutors had originally sought a manslaughter conviction, which carries a maximum of 40 years; the negligent homicide verdict limits Colbert’s potential sentence to 10 years, while racketeering in Louisiana can carry up to 50 years.
Criminal Scheme and Victim
According to the district attorney’s office, Colbert and White operated a multi-year criminal enterprise that lured victims in New Orleans’ French Quarter with promises of sex, then used drugs to incapacitate them and stole their bank accounts with stolen cards and phones. On February 5, Manzano, 27, a Kansas City-based Telemundo anchor, was found dead in his hotel room in the Kenner suburb. An autopsy determined he died face-down on a pillow after ingesting alcohol and the depressant Xanax.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Prosecutor Paul Purpura noted that a third participant, Christian Anderson, 35, testified against Colbert and White in exchange for reduced charges. Anderson pleaded guilty to robbery and access-device fraud and received a six-year prison term. Colbert and White’s sentencing is scheduled for late September, as announced by the Jefferson Parish district attorney’s office.
Official Reactions
Jefferson Parish assistant district attorney Jenny Voss said the jury carefully weighed the evidence and expressed that “justice was served.” Telemundo Kansas City general manager Steve Downing did not respond to requests for comment, and attorneys for Colbert and White also declined to comment.
Impact and Context
Manzano’s death occurred a year after his wife’s fatal car accident, leaving behind a toddler daughter. The case highlights the lethal potential of a fraud-driven scheme that combined drugging, financial theft, and violent outcomes.