In a high-profile case that has captivated public attention, Cardell Hayes, aged 36, has been found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of former NFL star Will Smith.
This verdict comes nearly eight years after the incident, which occurred in April 2016.
The New Orleans, Louisiana jury decision, reached after deliberations spanning several hours, was announced on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Hayes, who had been previously convicted of the crime in December 2016, saw his original conviction overturned due to a Supreme Court ruling that outlawed non-unanimous verdicts.
In the first trial, Hayes was also found guilty of attempted manslaughter for shooting and injuring Racquel Smith, Will Smith’s wife. Hayes had served over four years of a 25-year sentence before the overturning of his conviction. He was subsequently released on bond.
The fatal shooting took place after Smith, then 34, rear-ended Hayes’ vehicle with his Hummer near the intersection of Sophie Wright Place and Felicity Street in New Orleans.
The collision turned into a heated confrontation, leading to Hayes, then 28, shooting Smith eight times and killing him. During the melee, Racquel Smith was also shot in her right leg.
Throughout the trial, Hayes’ defense maintained that he feared for his life and acted in self-defense.
Evidence presented indicated that Will Smith was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level reportedly three times the legal limit. However, there was no evidence supporting the claim that Smith had wielded a weapon during the altercation. District Attorney Jason Williams, in his closing arguments, highlighted that only Hayes fired a gun during the incident.
The recent trial brought to the stand witnesses, including Racquel Smith and former Saints player Pierre Thomas.
Racquel Smith’s testimony shed light on the events leading up to the shooting, stating that after their cars bumped, Hayes crashed into them, sparking the verbal altercation. She testified that her husband did not possess a gun or physically attack Hayes.
The jury ultimately found Hayes guilty of manslaughter but acquitted him of attempted manslaughter charges in relation to the injuries sustained by Racquel Smith. This decision could lead to a sentence of up to 40 years in prison for Hayes, with his sentencing scheduled for March 27th.
Smith, who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2004 to 2013, was instrumental in leading them to a Super Bowl victory in 2010 and brought much-needed joy to the city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
In a statement released following the retrial, Racquel Smith and her family conveyed the difficulty of reliving the tragic events, emphasizing their pursuit of justice for Will Smith.
