Man indicted in Will Smith’s shooting death

Associated Press

NEW OLREANS

A business owner and semiprofessional football player was indicted Thursday on a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of retired New Orleans Saints’ defensive end Will Smith.

Cardell Hayes was also indicted on a charge of attempted second-degree murder because police say he wounded Smith’s wife in the shooting. Hayes and Smith got into an argument after Hayes’s Hummer hit Smith’s Mercedes SUV from behind on April 9, police said. Smith’s wife was in the passenger seat at the time.

Hayes’ defense lawyer John Fuller has said Hayes was not the aggressor and that a witness saw a gun in Smith’s possession. Police say a loaded gun was found in Smith’s vehicle.

A lawyer for Smith’s family, Peter Thomson, insists Smith never brandished or carried a gun. Thomson has described Hayes as “enraged” during the altercation and portrayed his clients as the victims.

Smith was shot seven times in the back and once along his side, the coroner said. His wife, Racquel, was shot twice in the legs but survived.

The Smith family says they’re pleased, though not surprised, that a grand jury has indicted Hayes in Smith’s death and attempted murder of Smith’s wife, Racquel, Thomson said in a statement Thursday evening. “The Smith family remains confident that once a jury hears all the evidence, the killer will be convicted and justice will be served,” the statement said. “Although nothing can ease the pain this family is feeling, today was a step toward ensuring this cold-blooded murderer is held responsible for the actions that took the life of their husband, father and friend.”

Hayes was also indicted on charges of aggravated assault and aggravated damage to property. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bond was set at $1.75 million.

Smith was heralded as a leader on the Saints team that rebounded with the hurricane-stricken city and won the Super Bowl after the 2009 season. He stayed in the area after his 2012 retirement and was active with various charities in his adopted city.