Cardell Hayes Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Killing of Former Saints DE Will Smith

A jury discovered Cardell Hayes responsible of manslaughter for the 2016 demise of former New Orleans Saints defensive finish Will Smith.

The New Orleans Instances-Picayune reported that the jury returned the decision Saturday.

Hayes, 36, faces as much as 40 years in jail. The jury acquitted him on costs of tried manslaughter for allegedly capturing and injuring Smith’s spouse, Racquel.

Smith was fatally shot on the scene of a automobile crash on April 9, 2016 when an incident transpired the place  Smith evenly rear-ended Hayes’ automobile.

Surveillance footage capturer Hayes pulling his automobile over in an try to kind issues out:

“As an alternative, Smith drove off, maybe as a result of he had a blood alcohol stage of 0.24, triple the authorized restrict.

“Hayes, who was sober, followed in pursuit, eventually smashing into Smith’s car. Both men and their companions got out. Chaos ensued. Fists flew. Hayes said he believed Smith was headed back to his car to get a firearm, so he unloaded his gun into the retired player. Smith’s wife, Racquel, was also struck and faced lengthy rehab.”

Hayes was initially charged with second-degree homicide and tried second-degree homicide, however a jury was break up, leading to lesser costs of manslaughter and tried manslaughter in December 2016.

Hayes’ unique conviction was thrown out when the USA Supreme Court docket dominated that non-unanimous jury verdicts had been outlawed, and he was then launched on bond 4 years right into a 25-year jail sentence.

In the course of the trial this week, practically a dozen witnesses testified to assist claims that Hayes deliberately hit Smith’s SUV, which led to the argument and capturing,

Smith performed 10 seasons within the NFL from 2004 to ’13. He was a member of the Saints’ workforce.

Huge Freedia’s reacts to the decision within the retrial of Cardell Hayes for the demise of Saints participant Will Smith. pic.twitter.com/zkYbAAYIVC

— Mia ⚜️ (Mama MiaNOLA) (@mamamianola) January 27, 2024