Bond denied for man, woman accused in robbery scheme of KC sports reporter Adan Manzano
GRETNA, La. (KCTV) - A man and woman accused of an alleged robbery scheme that police say led to the death of Telemundo Kansas City sports reporter Adan Manzano were denied bond Wednesday in Louisiana after new evidence was presented in court.
Commissioner David Wolff in the Jefferson Parish found probable cause to keep Danette Colbert and Rickey White jailed on counts connected to the robbery and death of Manzano.
That denial of bond came after Kenner Police detective Jeffrey Fitzmorris testified that text messages proved White’s involvement in the case. Fitzmorris said White and Colbert often texted about “knockouts” or “KOs,” referring to drugs used to make victims out before allegedly robbing them.
The 27-year-old sports reporter from Kansas City was found dead in his hotel room in Kenner, Louisiana on Feb. 5, just a few days before the Super Bowl he was in New Orleans to cover. On that day, Fitzmorris said Colbert and White communicated 30 times that day.
Fitzmorris also said texts showed investigators a pattern of behavior where Colbert and others asked for knockouts and then send phone and bank information to White.
White’s attorney, Kevin Boshea, claimed “the text messages they referred to involved things that happened months and months ago.”
According to a report April 3 from KCTV’s sister station WVUE, St. Tammany Parish court documents revealed Danette Colbert and Rickey White once lived at the same address in Slidell, Louisiana. Police investigated their home for a domestic dispute in February 2024 and an initial report showed Colbert was bruised and refused treatment.
READ MORE: Suspects tied to death of Kansas City sports reporter used to live together
Colbert is booked on charges of second-degree murder, robbery, bank fraud and other counts relating to allegedly using Manzano’s credit cards and s. White has been accused as a principal to the robbery and fraud counts but prosecutors have not charged him with a murder charge.
Kenner Police said Manzano’s stolen credit card and cell phone were later found in the possession of Colbert, who was seen entering the hotel with Manzano and leaving alone.
Preliminary toxicology reports showed Xanax and alcohol were in Manzano’s system. Police said they believed Colbert drugged and robbed him.
White and Colbert are still being held without bond. Wolff said he believed White is a flight risk and a danger to society.
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