The manslaughter retrial of Cardell Hayes, the man who fatally shot former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith following a traffic crash nearly eight years ago, is reaching its conclusion with closing arguments slated for Friday afternoon. The retrial comes after Hayes’s initial conviction in 2016 was overturned due to a non-unanimous jury vote.

1. Background and Previous Conviction:
   • Cardell Hayes was initially convicted in December 2016 of manslaughter in the death of Will Smith and attempted manslaughter for injuring Smith’s wife, Racquel.
   • The jury vote in 2016 was 10-2, and the conviction was overturned when the Supreme Court ruled against non-unanimous verdicts.
   • Hayes, who served over four years of a 25-year sentence, was released on bond pending the retrial.
2. Delay in Retrial:
   • The retrial faced delays for several years, including disruptions caused by court closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
   • Despite the challenges, the legal proceedings resumed, and the case is now approaching its conclusion.
3. Prosecution’s Case and Defense Strategy:
   • Prosecutors presented their case against Hayes, focusing on the events leading to Will Smith’s death during the traffic crash.
   • The defense opted not to call witnesses, suggesting a strategic move to rely on the reasonable doubt argument during closing statements.
4. Hayes’s Self-Defense Claim:
   • Throughout the legal proceedings, Cardell Hayes maintained that he shot Will Smith in self-defense during a confrontation in April 2016.
   • Hayes asserted that he believed Smith, who was allegedly intoxicated and belligerent, had retrieved a gun from his SUV, prompting him to fire in self-defense.
5. Challenges to Hayes’s Claims:
   • Despite Hayes’s self-defense narrative, evidence presented during the trial did not support his claim that Smith had wielded or fired a weapon.
   • Smith, a beloved figure in New Orleans and a defensive leader for the Saints, was fatally shot, and his wife was wounded during the incident.

As the retrial of Cardell Hayes, the man accused of fatally shooting Will Smith, nears its end, the legal teams are preparing to present their closing arguments. The case, marked by delays and the overturning of a previous conviction, continues to captivate attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved. The outcome of the retrial will not only impact the fate of Cardell Hayes but will also serve as a significant chapter in the legacy of the late Will Smith, a revered figure in the New Orleans Saints community.