Sentences handed in Telemundo reporter's Super Bowl death

Key points

• Judge Nancy Miller sentenced Colbert to 50 years for racketeering and 10 consecutive years for negligent homicide, totaling 60 years.
• White received a 45-year sentence for racketeering; he was previously acquitted of manslaughter.
• Manzano died in February 2025 from positional asphyxia after ingesting Xanax and alcohol in a Kenner hotel.
• Prosecutors described a criminal enterprise dating to 2012 that targeted tourists in New Orleans' French Quarter.
• Manzano's family delivered emotional impact statements, with his mother describing a 'double grief' after her daughter-in-law's death in 2024.

Background

In September 2026, a Jefferson Parish jury convicted Colbert and White of racketeering, with Colbert also found guilty of negligent homicide. Christian Anderson, a co-defendant, pleaded guilty to simple robbery and received a six-year sentence. Manzano's wife, Ashleigh Boyd, died in a 2024 car crash, and their daughter is now being raised by her maternal grandparents.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and Fox8Live reported the sentences and victim impact statements, while WDSU highlighted the defense argument that the defendants were 'petty thieves' rather than racketeers. All sources agreed on the sentences and the scheme's history, but WDSU noted the defense pointed to surveillance video of Manzano smoking, suggesting other substances may have been involved.

Why it matters

The case highlights the dangers of long-running criminal enterprises targeting tourists in major cities and the devastating impact on victims' families, particularly when multiple tragedies compound grief.

What to watch

No further legal proceedings are mentioned for Colbert and White, as their sentences are final. The case may serve as a precedent for prosecuting similar racketeering schemes targeting tourists.