In a case that underscores the dangers of online deception, Jakari D. Webb, 21, from Daytona Beach, Florida, was given a life sentence without a chance for parole on Thursday, April 4, 2024 for the killing of 19-year-old Telan K. Mann.
The judgment arrived after Webb was found guilty of first-degree murder using a firearm.
Webb lured Mann into a trap on June 23, 2022 by posing as a fictitious online character, a technique known as “catfishing.” The scheme was predicated on Webb’s perception that Mann was spreading gossip about his sexual orientation.
“Catfishing” is a term used to describe the creation of a bogus online identity on social media or other internet platforms generally to trick someone. The deception often involves using someone else’s photos, and fabricating life stories, jobs, friends, and other social information to construct a convincing alternative persona.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza stated that Webb’s behavior was a textbook example of premeditated murder. The evidence pointed to Webb arming himself and lying in wait for Mann, whom he then shot nine times, leaving no room for doubt about his intent.
Despite Webb’s defense asserting the absence of direct evidence tying him to the crime during the trial, the prosecution presented compelling evidence connecting Webb’s cell phone to the murder weapon and the victim. Surveillance footage also depicted Webb at the crime scene prior to and following Mann’s shooting, including video of Webb hiding before ambushing Mann.
Responding to reports of gunshots near Oak Tree Circle and Forest Glen Boulevard, police found Mann’s body on a sidewalk, riddled with bullet wounds. Multiple shell casings found at the scene confirmed a close-range shooting.
Further investigation revealed a text conversation between Webb and Mann, arranging their meeting on the night of the murder. Surveillance footage also showed Webb’s attempts to hide his actions and evade identification after the killing. While Webb initially provided inconsistent accounts of his whereabouts during the murder, he eventually confessed.
Webb told investigators that he had set up a fake Instagram account to engage with Mann, in response to Mann’s alleged rumors about Webb’s sexual orientation. Despite initially characterizing the shooting as an accident, Webb ultimately admitted that the 9 mm handgun found near the scene was the murder weapon.
The obituary of Telan K. Mann portrayed him as a person who pursued a life filled with peace and love, reflecting his joyous and family-oriented character. His tragic death underscores the grave consequences of online deception and retaliatory aggression.
The life sentence handed down to Webb stands as a judicial acknowledgment of the premeditated nature of the crime and the untimely end of a young life, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and caution in the realm of digital interactions.
