Louisiana authorities on Monday charged a second suspect with homicide within the loss of life of a tv reporter who had traveled to New Orleans to cowl the Tremendous Bowl.
Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old reporter and anchor for Telemundo based mostly in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, was discovered useless Feb. 5 in his resort room within the New Orleans suburb of Kenner. A lady seen on safety video leaving Manzano’s room was later charged with second-degree homicide and with stealing his bank cards and mobile phone.
Kenner police introduced Monday that an confederate, 34-year-old Rickey White, has additionally been charged with second-degree homicide. White was arrested in Florida in March on theft and fraud expenses associated to Manzano’s loss of life, then extradited to Louisiana.
Kenner police mentioned in a information launch that the homicide cost towards White resulted from “continued investigative efforts,” however officers gave no additional particulars.
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley mentioned at a information convention March 18 that investigators had linked White to Danette Colbert, the primary suspect charged within the case, based mostly on “correspondence and knowledge the place they have been going forwards and backwards. So, we predict they have been working hand-in-hand in live performance with one another.”
An legal professional for White, Kevin Boshea, mentioned he hadn’t been knowledgeable of the homicide cost earlier than an Related Press reporter known as him Monday.
“I do not suppose he is responsible of the opposite crimes,” Boshea mentioned, “so how can he be responsible of homicide?”
Boshea mentioned he pressed police throughout a preliminary listening to on the theft and fraud expenses final month to point out proof that White was within the New Orleans space when Manzano died, however they offered none.
An legal professional for Colbert had mentioned that police have been making “assumptions and guesses” to hyperlink her to Manzano’s loss of life.
Underneath Louisiana legislation, a defendant could be charged with second-degree homicide for distributing medication that trigger a loss of life or for committing sure crimes, together with theft, that lead to somebody dying.
An post-mortem discovered Manzano died mendacity face down on a pillow and unable to breathe after ingesting a mixture of alcohol and the depressant Xanax, Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich instructed reporters in March.
Police mentioned safety video from Manzano’s resort confirmed him and Colbert getting into his room collectively the day of his loss of life. Footage confirmed Colbert leaving with out him about an hour later. Authorities have mentioned Colbert later used Manzano’s bank card to make a purchase order at a New Orleans fuel station and at a number of shops within the space.
Police have additionally mentioned Manzano’s medical information confirmed no prescriptions for Xanax or different depressants, and that they recovered the drug from Colbert’s residence.
