Retrial Commences in Fatal Shooting of NFL Star Will Smith

The retrial for Cardell Hayes, the man who fatally shot former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith almost eight years ago, was scheduled to begin on Monday. Hayes, 36, has maintained that he acted in self-defense during an April 2016 confrontation following a car crash that resulted in Smith’s death and injuries to his wife, Racquel Smith.

Hayes was initially convicted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter, but the verdict was not unanimous, leading to a reversal by the US Supreme Court. Released on bond after serving over four years of a 25-year sentence, Hayes now faces a retrial.

During his December 2016 trial, Hayes claimed he fired at Smith, hitting him multiple times, because he believed Smith was armed. He asserted that he heard a “pop” before shooting, emphasizing that he did not target Smith’s wife. However, evidence showed Smith was intoxicated, and there was no supporting witness or forensic evidence for Hayes’s claim.

The retrial has experienced delays, including those related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Will Smith, a defensive leader for the Saints, played a crucial role in the team’s success after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, contributing to a winning season in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory in 2010. Hayes, a former semi-pro football player and owner of a tow truck business, is also a father.