As recent murder case updates unfold, people are eager to explore Cardell Hayes Wikipedia, seeking details about his age and more regarding the ongoing legal proceedings.
Cardell Hayes gained fame for the 2016 shooting death of former NFL player Will Smith in New Orleans.
The incident followed a traffic collision and escalated into a fatal altercation.
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Cardell Hayes Wikipedia And Age
Cardell Hayes, a figure thrust into the public eye due to a tragic incident, was born in the United States. Still, details about his early life and upbringing remain relatively private.
As of the latest available information, he is 36 years old.
Hayes gained national attention in connection with the events of April 9, 2016, in New Orleans, when a seemingly routine traffic incident turned into a fatal altercation.
The incident unfolded when Hayes’ vehicle was lightly rear-ended by former NFL player Will Smith’s Mercedes.
This minor collision set off a chain of events that ultimately led to Smith’s tragic death and Hayes’ legal troubles.
At the time of the incident, Cardell was a former semi-professional football player with ties to the sports community.
Additionally, he was the owner of a tow truck business, adding a layer of complexity to his public image.
However, the details of his football career and the trajectory of his towing business remain less documented than the high-profile legal case that brought him into the spotlight.
Hayes’s involvement in the altercation resulted in his arrest and subsequent trial.
In December 2016, he was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Will Smith and attempted manslaughter for the shooting injury inflicted upon Smith’s wife, Racquel.
The initial verdict was not without controversy, as it was delivered by a non-unanimous jury, a practice that was later outlawed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Cardell Hayes Trial And Verdict
Cardell Hayes’ trial and subsequent verdict were marked by intense legal scrutiny and public attention.
The trial, which took place in New Orleans, centered around the 2016 shooting death of former NFL player Will Smith following a traffic incident.
Hayes was initially convicted of manslaughter for Smith’s death and attempted manslaughter for injuring Smith’s wife, Racquel Smith, in the same altercation.
However, the verdict was rendered by a non-unanimous jury, a practice later deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
This led to the overturning of Hayes’ conviction and his release on bond after serving over four years of a 25-year sentence.
The retrial in 2024 brought renewed focus to the case.
The prosecution highlighted Hayes’ alleged deliberate actions leading to the fatal shooting, emphasizing that Will Smith was shot eight times, seven in the back.
The defense reiterated the self-defense argument, citing the 911 call as evidence of Hayes’ perception of a threat.
Following more than four hours of deliberation, the jury reached a guilty verdict on the charge of manslaughter.
Hayes was found guilty in the shooting death of Will Smith but acquitted of attempted manslaughter for the shooting that injured Racquel Smith.
The verdict reignited discussions about the events of that tragic day in 2016 and the complexities of self-defense claims in legal proceedings.
Hayes now faces up to 40 years in prison, pending sentencing.
The case, marked by its legal twists and the involvement of a prominent NFL figure, remains a sad chapter in the legal history of New Orleans.
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