A man allegedly involved in a fatal drugging and robbery scheme that led to the death of Kansas City sports reporter Adán Manzano is now facing a second-degree murder charge, according to police in Kenner, Louisiana.
Rickey White, originally booked on property crime charges, had his charges upgraded after authorities uncovered what they say was a coordinated effort with Danette Colbert to drug and rob Manzano, who was in New Orleans covering events during Super Bowl week, WDSU reported.
Text messages between Colbert and White revealed a plan to drug Manzano and steal his belongings. Police say White, who was arrested in Florida and extradited to Louisiana, provided Colbert with transportation and communicated with her throughout the night of the incident.
When Colbert was ready to drug Manzano, she texted White "knock out," according to a detective's testimony. Another message from Colbert reportedly read, "Got the phone code. He got money, waiting for him to sleep."
According to investigators, hotel surveillance showed Colbert and Manzano entering his hotel room early in the morning. Colbert was later seen leaving the room alone. She was arrested after being found with Manzano's cellphone and credit cards.
A sports anchor for KGKC Telemundo Kansas City and Tico Sports, Manzano was found dead in a Kenner hotel room in February. An autopsy revealed the presence of alprazolam, a type of Xanax that Manzano had not been prescribed.
Colbert, who has a documented history of drugging and robbing victims in multiple states, is also facing a second-degree murder charge. A judge denied bond for both defendants, citing public safety concerns.
Originally published on Lawyer Herald
