Trial Delayed For Man Who Says He Fatally Shot Ex-Saints Star Will Smith In Self-defense – News18

NEW ORLEANS: The manslaughter retrial for the person who fatally shot New Orleans Saints star Will Smith nearly eight years in the past was delayed Tuesday after an alternate juror dropped out.

Twelve jurors and two alternates had been chosen Monday for the trial in opposition to Cardell Hayes, who has lengthy insisted he shot Smith in self-protection throughout an April 2016 confrontation after a automotive crash. Smith died and his spouse, Racquel Smith, was wounded by gunfire.

But on Tuesday morning, one of many alternate jurors stated they’d be unable to be a part of the trial due to an unspecified household subject, New Orleans information retailers reported.

Orleans Parish Criminal Court Judge Camille Buras stated the trial couldn’t transfer ahead with only one alternate juror, so as an alternative of beginning opening statements, the prosecution and protection would choose a alternative alternate from a brand new 16-juror pool. Depending on when jury choice was accomplished, opening arguments had been anticipated to start Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday.

New Orleans’ District Attorney Jason Williams stated he was blissful concerning the numerous group of people chosen for the jury.

Racquel Smith was in court docket Monday sitting in a row behind Williams, who’s main the prosecution.

Hayes, 36, was convicted of manslaughter and tried manslaughter a number of months after the capturing. But the jury’s vote was 10-2 and the U.S. Supreme Court later stated such convictions have to be unanimous. He was launched on bond after the conviction was reversed, having served greater than 4 years of a 25-yr sentence.

At his December 2016 trial, Hayes stated he fired at Smith, hitting him as soon as within the facet and 7 occasions within the again, solely as a result of he believed a drunken and belligerent Smith had retrieved a gun from his SUV. He insisted on the stand that he heard a “pop” earlier than he began capturing and that he didn’t shoot at Smith’s spouse, who was hit within the legs.

Evidence confirmed Smith was intoxicated on the time of the confrontation. But there was no witness or forensic proof to again up Hayes’ declare that Smith had wielded or fired a weapon.

Hayes’ retrial has been delayed a number of occasions for quite a lot of causes, together with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith, a 34-yr-previous father of three, was a defensive chief on the Saints crew that lifted spirits in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated town in 2005. He helped carry the crew to a successful season in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory in 2010.

Hayes, who owned a tow truck enterprise, as soon as performed semi-professional soccer and is the daddy of a teenage son.

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)