The man who shot and killed former Ohio State and New Orleans Saints star Will Smith Sr. following a traffic crash almost eight years ago has been convicted of manslaughter.
Cardell Hayes was found guilty after a retrial on Saturday. Hayes now faces up to 40 years in prison.
Hayes, 36, was initially convicted of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter on Smith's wife, Racquel, in December 2016, but the conviction was voided when the Supreme Court outlawed nonunanimous verdicts. He was released on bond in March 2021 after serving over four years of a 25-year sentence.
According to The Associated Press, the jury deliberated for roughly four hours late into Friday evening before presenting a verdict. The retrial had been delayed numerous times for various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Racquel Smith released a statement Saturday morning thanking those for their thoughts during the trial. Smith also stated that "all we have ever wanted was for Mr. Hayes to take accountability for his actions, and we hope that through this verdict, we are one step closer to that becoming a reality.”
Smith, a former first-round pick and staple of the Saints defense, played for Ohio State from 2000-03. He was a member of the national championship team in 2002 and earned first-team All-American honors in 2003.
In 2003, Smith totaled 49 tackles (30 solo), 10.5 sacks and 20 stops for loss. He also earned All-Big Ten first-team honors.
Drafted 18th overall in 2004, Smith played 10 seasons with the Saints and New England Patriots. He guided New Orleans amid the recovery process of Hurricane Katrina and was viewed as a leader in the locker room.
Smith earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2006 and helped New Orleans claim its first Super Bowl title in 2009. He finished his NFL career with 469 tackles, 67.5 sacks and 20 forced fumbles.
Smith was posthumously added to the Saints Ring of Honor in 2019. His son, Will Smith Jr., is a redshirt freshman defensive tackle for the Buckeyes.
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