Man Behind Shooting of Will Smith Was Convicted for Manslaughter The Second Time

A New Orleans jury has found Cardell Hayes guilty of manslaughter in the retrial of the 2016 shooting of Will Smith, the former Saints defensive end. The verdict was reached after over four hours of deliberation, marking the second conviction for Hayes in connection with the tragic incident, Fox News reported.

Retrial of Cardell Hayes, the man behind the shooting of Will Smith (Photo from Fox News)

Retrial for the Man Behind Shooting of Will Smith

The incident occurred in April 2016 when a dispute over a vehicle crash escalated following a verbal altercation between Smith and Hayes. Smith, driving an SUV, clashed with Hayes’ Hummer along Magazine Street in New Orleans.

Hayes, convicted in 2016 for the shooting of Will Smith, faced retrial due to legal complexities, including changes in Louisiana law and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The jury voted 10-2, a practice later outlawed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Prosecutors argued that Hayes fired needlessly, hitting Smith eight times, while the defense maintained self-defense claims, pointing to a 911 call where Smith allegedly mentioned retrieving a gun.

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Legal Fallout and Emotional Impact

Hayes could face up to four decades in prison. He had previously served over four years of a 25-year sentence before being released on bond.

Smith, a beloved figure in New Orleans, played a crucial role in the Saints’ post-Hurricane Katrina success. His family expressed relief at the verdict, stating they endured painful courtroom experiences.

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