Cardell Hayes was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of former Ohio State star Will Smith.
The man who shot and killed former Ohio State and New Orleans Saints star Will Smith Sr. following a traffic accident nearly eight years ago has been found guilty of manslaughter. Cardell Hayes was convicted after a retrial on Saturday. Hayes is now facing up to 40 years in prison.
Hayes, aged 36, was initially found guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter against Racquel Smith, the wife of former NFL player Will Smith, in December 2016. However, this conviction was overturned after the Supreme Court ruled against nonunanimous verdicts. He was released on bond in March 2021 after spending over four years in prison out of a 25-year sentence. The jury deliberated for approximately four hours late into a Friday evening before reaching a verdict in his retrial. The retrial had faced multiple delays, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Racquel Smith released a statement the following Saturday expressing gratitude for the support received during the trial and emphasizing the desire for Hayes to take responsibility for his actions.
Will Smith, a former first-round draft pick and prominent player for the New Orleans Saints, had a successful career both in college, playing for Ohio State from 2000 to 2003, and in the NFL. He was part of Ohio State’s national championship-winning team in 2002 and received several accolades during his college career. Drafted 18th overall in 2004, Smith played for ten seasons with the Saints and the New England Patriots, contributing significantly to the Saints’ success, including their Super Bowl victory in 2009. He was known for his leadership on and off the field, particularly during the recovery period after Hurricane Katrina. Smith’s achievements in the NFL included being selected for the Pro Bowl in 2006 and finishing his career with impressive statistics. He was honored posthumously by the Saints, being added to their Ring of Honor in 2019. His son, Will Smith Jr., currently plays as a redshirt freshman defensive tackle for Ohio State.
