Cardell Hayes receives second 25-year prison term in fatal shooting of former Saints star Will Smith after first conviction was overturned

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: In a New Orleans courtroom on Thursday, April 25, Cardell Hayes, aged 36, received a second sentencing of a 25-year jail term for the fatal shooting of retired NFL star Will Smith, aged 34, during a confrontation that ensued after a car crash in 2016.

After initially being convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 and receiving a 25-year sentence, Hayes had his conviction overturned following the US Supreme Court's ruling that non-unanimous verdicts were unconstitutional.

After a new trial, Hayes was unanimously convicted by a jury in January, dismissing defense claims that he had acted in self-defense. These claims suggested that Smith, who was intoxicated and confrontational, had retrieved a gun from his SUV.

Judge Camille Buras, presiding over both trials, expressed, “This court has struggled with this case since the time I got it.” 

However, she noted that both Hayes and a companion were armed during the confrontation, while Smith was unarmed as he retreated to his car, reported AP.

Insights into Will Smith's shooting

Smith, a father of three and a defensive leader on the Saints team, was shot eight times, seven of which were in the back, during the confrontation.

Buras emphasized the impact of the force with which Hayes' Hummer rammed Smith's SUV. Although Hayes claimed it was unintentional, he was acquitted on a charge related to the ramming in the 2016 trial.

Prosecutors pursued a 25-year sentence, stressing Hayes' failure to acknowledge his wrongdoing. In an emotional testimony, Lisa, Smith’s daughter, expressed her grief over not having her father present for significant life milestones, declaring, “Mr Hayes, you ruined my life. You took my father away from me.”

Supporting Hayes, his mother, Dawn Mumphrey, expressed sorrow for Smith's loss. “Our lives are forever changed as well,” she said tearfully looking at the judge, adding, “I ask for your mercy."

Cardell Hayes claims self-defense amid lack of evidence of Will Smith's weapon possession

Hayes maintained his assertion that he acted in self-defense, mentioning that he heard a "pop" before firing his weapon. He clarified that he did not intend to target Smith's wife, Racquel, who suffered leg injuries during the incident.

Although evidence suggested that Smith was intoxicated during the incident, there were no witnesses or forensic evidence corroborating Hayes' claim that Smith had displayed or fired a weapon.

He was released on bond in 2021 after serving over four years of the original sentence but was taken back into custody following the unanimous verdict in January.

The overturned convictions from 2016 also included an attempted manslaughter charge related to the wounding of Racquel, of which Hayes was acquitted in the second trial.

Before Thursday’s sentencing, Hayes' family and friends gathered in prayer.