Jury reaches verdict in case tied to death of reporter covering Super Bowl in New Orleans

GRETNA, La. (WVUE/Gray News) - A woman was found guilty of negligent homicide in connection with the death of Adan Manzano, a sports reporter killed while covering Super Bowl LIX in 2025.

The defense and prosecution both presented closing arguments Thursday before the jury was sent to deliberate. After five hours of deliberation, the jury presented its verdict.

Danette Colbert, 49, and Rickey White, 35, were both found guilty of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison. Both also faced a manslaughter charge, but jurors found only Colbert guilty of negligent homicide, which prosecutors said carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Manzano, 27, of Kansas City, was in New Orleans to cover the Kansas City Chiefs as they took on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Manzano never made it to the game. He was found dead in his Kenner hotel room on Feb. 5, 2025.

According to Jefferson Parish prosecutors, Manzano was targeted by Colbert, White and another defendant, Christian Anderson. The trio allegedly drugged victims, went back with them to their hotels and robbed them after they fell asleep.

“The most dangerous thing that Adan Manzano did was meeting Danette Colbert, and now he’s dead,” said the Jefferson Parish assistant district attorney.

A pathologist testified Manzano’s high blood alcohol content and the presence of a generic form of Xanax in his system contributed to his death by positional asphyxia.

Evidence shown to the jury included surveillance video capturing Colbert with Manzano on Bourbon Street and then at his hotel in Kenner. Investigators later discovered Manzano’s debit card, hotel key card and a bottle of alprazolam at Colbert’s home in Slidell.

During testimony Wednesday from the former Kenner Police Department lead detective in the case, the prosecution played a video of investigators questioning Colbert after Manzano’s body was discovered.

In the video, Colbert told detectives the two had been drinking that night in New Orleans and returned to his hotel room. Colbert told authorities she eventually left after Manzano said he was tired. When asked if she had taken anything from the room, Colbert said she took “nothing.” Colbert also denied drugging Manzano, adding that she was “no killer.”

To support the racketeering charge, prosecutors emphasized the long relationship between Colbert, White and other “associates.” Prosecutors said their scheme went on for years.

“They weren’t just pals, they were partners,” Jefferson Parish Assistant District Attorney Jenny Voss said.

Digital forensic experts read to the jury years’ worth of text messages between Colbert and White in which they discussed targeting victims, the use of “knockout drugs” and what was taken from those victims.

Stavros Panagoulopoulos, Colbert’s defense attorney, said he was disappointed in the racketeering conviction but considered the jury’s decision on the negligent homicide charge a small legal victory. He said he plans to appeal the conviction.

Family and friends of Colbert and White were present during the trial and verdict. Manzano’s loved ones were not present.

“We’ve been in contact with Mr. Manzano’s family throughout the trial and have continued our communication with them. They were unable to be here this week, but they were looking for justice, and I think based on this verdict, we can deliver that to them,” Voss said.

The third defendant, Christian Anderson, previously testified that he had agreed to a deal with prosecutors and would plead guilty to lesser charges. He pleaded guilty to simple robbery and access device fraud and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Sentencing for Colbert and White is set for Sept. 28.