Daytona Beach, Florida – A recent trial in Daytona Beach, Florida, ended with a conviction of a man accused of catfishing and murdering a teenager. Jakari Webb, 21, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the tragic death of 19-year-old Telan Mann. The jury deliberated for two hours before reaching a verdict.
Webb’s actions involved a deceitful ploy known as catfishing, where he assumed a false identity on social media to lure Mann. Webb used photos borrowed from an Instagram account of a semi-pro basketball player to create a fake persona in his communication with Mann. This manipulation led to a fatal meeting near Oak Tree Circle and Forest Glen Boulevard, where Webb fatally shot Mann nine times.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence tying Webb to the crime, including text messages between Webb and Mann found on Mann’s cellphone. Surveillance footage also showed Webb traveling to the meeting location, connecting him to the scene of the crime. Despite efforts by Webb’s defense attorney to cast doubt on the evidence, the jury found Webb guilty of first-degree murder.
The motive behind the shooting remained unclear throughout the trial. While investigators could not establish a concrete reason for Webb’s actions, a charging affidavit revealed Webb’s claim that the shooting was an act of revenge. Webb alleged that Mann had falsely labeled him as gay, leading him to seek retribution by creating a fake Instagram account to deceive Mann.
In a statement following the trial, State Attorney R.J. Larizza denounced Webb’s actions as a calculated act of premeditated murder. The State Attorney’s Office emphasized the gravity of Webb’s crime, highlighting the deliberate nature of the shooting that left no doubt about his intentions.
Judge Randell Rowe III sentenced Webb to life in prison without the possibility of parole, marking the conclusion of a trial that shed light on the tragic consequences of deception and violence. The case serves as a harrowing reminder of the dangers of online manipulation and the devastating impact it can have on unsuspecting victims.