DELAND, Florida – In a case that shocked the community, 21-year-old Jakari Webb, a Daytona Beach man, was convicted Thursday for the murder of 19-year-old Telan Mann. Webb was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury after deliberating for approximately two hours. Circuit Judge Randell Rowe III sentenced Webb to life in prison without parole at the conclusion of the trial held at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.
The tragic incident occurred on June 23, 2022, when Webb, then 19 years old, fatally shot Mann. Prior to the shooting, Webb engaged in “catfishing,” a deceptive tactic in which he assumed a false identity on social media to communicate with Mann. Webb used images stolen from an Instagram account of a semi-pro basketball player to lure Mann to a meeting near Oak Tree Circle and Forest Glen Boulevard.
During the trial, Assistant State Attorney Mark Interlicchio informed the jurors that investigators were unable to determine a motive for the shooting. On the defense side, Webb’s attorney, Gordon Fenderson, argued that there was no direct evidence linking Webb to the crime. However, former Daytona Beach Police Detective Joseph Roces testified that text messages between Webb and Mann, along with surveillance footage showing Webb on his way to the fatal meeting, were key pieces of evidence in the case.
Roces also mentioned that individuals familiar with Webb identified him from the surveillance footage. Through a meticulous process of comparing physical features in the footage to images sent by Webb, investigators were able to strengthen their case. Despite a motion for mistrial made by Fenderson, Judge Rowe ruled in favor of continuing the trial after clarifying the issue of Webb’s past incarceration.
As the proceedings unfolded, it was uncovered that Webb claimed the shooting was an act of retribution against Mann. Allegedly, Mann spread rumors about Webb’s sexuality, prompting Webb to seek revenge by creating a fake online persona. The State Attorney’s Office labeled Mann as a “young guns” defendant and characterized Webb’s actions as a clear display of premeditation, emphasizing the malicious intent behind the shooting.
The sentencing of Jakari Webb serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of online deception and retaliation, highlighting the importance of accountability and justice in cases of senseless violence.