Guilty verdict handed down for death of former Saints defensive end Will Smith

A jury did not take long with its deliberations to find Cardell Hayes guilty of manslaughter in the death of former Saints defensive end Will Smith. The verdict came in early Saturday morning. Hayes was acquitted of attempted manslaughter for injuries suffered by Racquel Smith in the same incident.

The sentencing hearing is set for March 27 when Criminal District Judge Camille Buras will hand out the punishment. Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison. The defense is considering options.

After the verdict was rendered, Racquel Smith, who was hit in the legs by bullets fired during the tragic incident on April 9, 2016, issued a statement on behalf of her family:

“Since April 9, 2016, my family and I have been living a nightmare. In the eight years since losing Will, each life milestone and family memory brings heartache—We miss our Superman. He was a wonderful husband, father, and friend, and we will never stop celebrating William Smith, the man we were blessed enough to have on this earth for 34 short years.

Each time we stepped into this courthouse, we were forced to relive the worst moments of our lives. As hard as it was to sit and listen to autopsy reports and untruths about the night Will was killed, and I was shot, we came each day brave and strong because we were fighting for Will. I can look my children in the eyes and tell them that I gave everything in pursuit of justice on behalf of Will. I want to thank District Attorney Jason Williams, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Derbes, Co-Chief of Trials Constance Tullier, Victim Advocate Vickie Landry, and everyone from the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office for their enduring hard work and passion in bringing justice to our family. 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.”

It was the second trial for Smith, who was found guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in December of 2016 by a 10-2 vote of the jury. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that jury verdicts had to be unanimous, all non-unanimous jury verdicts were outlawed. With that decision, the original non-unanimous conviction of Hayes was dismissed, overturning his 25-year prison sentence, of which he had served four years, and he was released from prison.

Smith was an outstanding player, valued and beloved by Sean Payton, his staff and teammates, many of whom appeared at the first trial in 2016.

Smith played 10 seasons with the Saints from 2004-2013. He was part of a Super Bowl championship team in the 2009 season and a team which reached the NFC championship in 2006, when he made the Pro Bowl. He was part of five teams that made the playoffs.

Smith was durable, always available.

He played in 139 games, missing just five games in his ten-year stay.

Smith was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame on Oct. 28, 2016.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in February of that year and I had the pleasure of calling him to let him know. He was touched, moved, honored and it was a euphoric time for him.

Unfortunately, he never got to be part of the honor.

Subsequently, Smith was chosen by the Saints organization for their prestigious Ring of Honor on Oct. 2, 2019.