Cardell Hayes Found Guilty Of Manslaughter In Death Of Will Smith

Cardell Hayes has been found guilty of manslaughter in the death of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith. Hayes was also guilty of attempted manslaughter but found not guilty of criminal damage to property. He is facing between 20 to 40 years in prison.

Hayes rear-ended Smith in a traffic collision on April 9, 2016. After the accident, Smith and Hayes exchanged words, and Hayes fired a handgun which killed Smith. Hayes took the stand to claim Smith pulled a gun on him as well, but prosecutors and ballistics experts challenged those statements.

Hayes had been charged with second-degree murder, which would have carried a mandatory life sentence, but was instead found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.