Who is Jessica Mann? 'Meatball' Dayjia Blackwell's lawyer claims 'all-out assault' on Philly 'looter' is racially driven
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Jessica Mann, the legal representative for Dayjia Blackwell, aka 'Meatball', criticized the response against her actions during a recent looting livestream in Philadelphia, labeling it as a racist "all-out assault".
Blackwell's livestream showed the looters during a flash mob robbery in the city, where she urged her 181,000 Instagram followers to join her in the chaos on the streets.
'Meatball's lawyer Jessica Mann's open letter to the media
Jessica Mann, took to Instagram on Friday, September 29, 2023, to write, "I write this open letter with a profound sense of outrage and frustration over the unjust portrayal of my client, Dayjia Blackwell."
"It sickens me to witness the media's complicity in what can only be described as an all-out assault on black and brown people, as their character and actions are mercilessly vilified. We cannot afford to disregard this insidious injustice," the lawyer said.
Mann went on to describe Blackwell and said, "Dayjia Blackwell, a vibrant and charismatic 21-year-old African-American female, was catapulted into the limelight through her incredible talent for creating hilarious and captivating content on social media."
"With her infectious energy and boundless creativity, Dayjia has captured the hearts of thousands, leaving a trail of laughter and joy in her wake," Mann said.
"Her videos, filled with silly skits and uproarious pranks, showcase her unique ability to bring smiles to the faces of all who encounter her work. Dayjia's infectious enthusiasm knows no bounds, and she fearlessly dives into each performance with an unwavering commitment to entertain and uplift her audience," she added.
Mann slammed the media outlets and added, "Still, this person described above does not garner clicks on your websites, so you post her mugshot with tears streaming down her face and her hair a mess to satisfy your need to get 'clicks' and to sell a salacious story."
She explained, "The rightful story should be one of Dayjia doing nothing more than capturing the raw reality of public outrage when she streamed the events that occurred on the night of September 26, 2023, in Philadelphia."
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Jessica Mann is a Pennsylvania attorney
Jessica Mann is a lawyer, currently serving as the Managing Attorney at the Law Office of Shaka Johnson, LLC, since October 2015.
Mann has a solid foundation, having previously worked as a Legal Intern at Johnson, Russeck, and Page Trial Lawyers, LLC, honing her skills in trial preparation, motion drafting, legal correspondence, and courtroom observation.
She further expanded her legal knowledge as an intern at the Northeastern Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office in Gainesville, Georgia, where she actively contributed to criminal proceedings under supervision, engaging in client interviews, legal research, and court testimony.
Before her legal career, Jessica served as a Security Officer at Huffmaster for over 3 years.
She holds a JD from Drexel University School of Law, completing her education in 2015, and earlier earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2012.
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Jessia Mann said Blackwell's decision to livestream was to "bravely expose the deep-seated issues that plague society," but the police and local media failed to engage in what could have been a "meaningful dialogue" about the causes of the unrest.
Mann called the looters "individuals driven by pain and anguish" and said that the robbery "is not about sneakers or alcohol."
"It is about the systemic oppression that has plagued our communities for generations... and the corrosive effects of unchecked police brutality and a justice system that favors the powerful over the voiceless," the lawyer added.
Some people supported her, but others mentioned that charges were filed against Blackwell for taking part in a crime spree.
"If she had stayed home, minded her business and not incite folks, she would not be in the situation she is in and have charges pending against her," one of Mann's followers commented on her Instagram post.
"No matter how much y'all try to defend her, she need to face the consequences of her actions and how her actions impacted communities and people trying to just make ends meet," they added.
One person claimed that even Blackwell's grandma disapproved. "Even her grandma said that what she did was wrongfully. and you playing the 'legal' black card," one user said.
Another added, "I'm an attorney as well and a former public defender and I'm ashamed of you. A lawyer must defend the client's RIGHT but under no circumstances should the illicit act committed."
Another wrote, "She was wrong and should have used her platform for something else. Also she didn’t have to be out there when the looting was happening. She used her platform for bad not good. Bottom line they will make an example out of her and hopefully she learns her lesson."