Cardell Hayes, the man who shot and killed retired NFL star Will Smith in a confrontation following a car crash in 2016, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. This was the second sentencing for Hayes after his initial conviction was overturned due to a non-unanimous jury decision. The new trial resulted in a unanimous guilty verdict in January. Despite support from friends and family, Hayes was found guilty of manslaughter for shooting Smith, who was unarmed at the time and retreating to his car.
During the sentencing, the judge acknowledged the strong support Hayes had received and his behavior as a model prisoner. However, she highlighted the fact that both Hayes and his companion were armed when they confronted Smith after the crash. Smith was shot multiple times, with surveillance footage showing the forceful impact of Hayes’ vehicle ramming into Smith’s SUV. Prosecutors requested a 25-year sentence for Hayes, emphasizing his lack of acknowledgment of wrongdoing, while the defense argued for leniency based on community and family support.
Smith’s daughter, Lisa, addressed the court before the sentencing, expressing the impact of her father’s death on her life. She described how her mother had to relearn to walk after being injured in the shooting and lamented not having her father around for important life events. While Hayes maintained that he acted in self-defense, there was no evidence to support his claim that Smith was armed or had fired a weapon during the confrontation. Despite his assertions, Hayes did not testify at the retrial, with his defense attorney arguing that prosecutors failed to disprove self-defense.
Having already served more than four years in prison, Hayes will receive credit for time served towards his 25-year sentence. Following his conviction in January and subsequent custody, he awaited sentencing at the New Orleans jail. Hayes’ family and friends gathered outside the courthouse to pray before the sentencing, highlighting the emotional impact of the case on both sides. Smith, a beloved figure in New Orleans for his contributions to the Saints and the city post-Hurricane Katrina, left behind a legacy of leadership and success on and off the field.
As the case comes to a close with Hayes’ extended prison sentence, both families involved continue to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic incident. Smith’s absence is felt deeply by his loved ones, who have endured the loss and its repercussions. Hayes, once a semi-pro football player and father of two, will serve his time for the crime he committed, while seeking to find redemption and understanding in the wake of the tragedy. The community, the legal system, and those impacted by the events of that fateful night in 2016 will reflect on the consequences of violence and loss, hoping to prevent similar incidents in the future.
