Daytona Beach, Florida – A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of orchestrating a “catfishing” scheme to lure and kill a 19-year-old gay man. Jakari D. Webb, 21, was convicted of first-degree murder with a firearm in the killing of Telan K. Mann. The motive behind the crime was Webb’s belief that Mann had spread rumors about his sexuality.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza described the murder as a premeditated act, stating that Webb had planned and executed the killing while armed with a semi-automatic handgun. The fact that Mann was shot multiple times left no doubt about Webb’s intention to murder him. Webb’s defense attorney argued that there was no direct evidence linking his client to the murder.
However, court documents and testimony from investigators presented compelling evidence against Webb. Authorities were able to connect Webb’s cellphone to the murder weapon, the victim, and the crime scene. Video surveillance also captured the defendant arriving at and fleeing from the scene of the crime. Mann was found dead on a sidewalk, his body riddled with bullet wounds.
An affidavit revealed that Webb and Mann had arranged to meet up before the murder. Video footage showed Webb hiding behind a grass hill, waiting for the victim’s arrival. He then fired multiple shots at Mann before fleeing the scene. Detectives discovered additional video evidence of Webb hiding in bushes and evading capture.
Initially, Webb provided conflicting statements about his whereabouts at the time of the murder. When confronted with video evidence, he eventually admitted to shooting Mann but claimed it was in self-defense. According to court documents, Webb alleged that Mann had attacked him with a knife. However, he later admitted that the victim did not possess a knife.
Webb disclosed to police that he had been engaging with Mann online through a fake Instagram account since February. He devised the “catfishing” scheme as a means of getting back at Mann for spreading rumors about his sexuality. Webb claimed that the shooting was an accident and identified the handgun found at the scene as the murder weapon.
In conclusion, Jakari D. Webb has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Telan K. Mann in a “catfishing” scheme. The trial revealed evidence linking Webb to the crime, including video surveillance and the defendant’s own admission. This case highlights the dangers of online deception and the tragic consequences it can have.