New Orleans jury convicts man in fatal shooting of former Saints player Will Smith
The man who shot former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Will Smith following a traffic altercation in 2016 has been convicted of manslaughter.
A jury in New Orleans deliberated for more than four hours before finding Cardell Hayes guilty just after midnight Saturday in a retrial of the case from more than seven years ago. Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison.
A jury originally voted 10-2 to convict Hayes, but the decision was overturned when the Supreme Court outlawed nonunanimous verdicts. He was released on bond after serving more than four years of his 25-year sentence.
During closing arguments Friday, District Attorney Jason Williams argued that Hayes fired a gun recklessly after a traffic accident, hitting Smith seven times and Smith's wife once.
The defense claimed Hayes acted in self-defense.
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Smith played nine seasons with the Saints from 2004-2012. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and was a member of the Saints' Super Bowl championship team in 2009.