Who was the aggressor? Vastly different views in retrial of man who killed ex-NFL star Smith in 2016

Published January 23, 2024 12:14 PM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A retrial for the man who fatally shot New Orleans Saints star Will Smith almost eight years is underway in New Orleans. In opening statements to a newly selected jury, a prosecutor cast 36-year-old Cardell Hayes as the violent aggressor in the 2016 confrontation that followed a car crash. A defense attorney said Hayes feared for his life when he opened fire. Tuesday’s opening arguments had been delayed after an alternate juror chosen Monday was unable to continue. Hayes was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016. But the 10-2 jury conviction was thrown out after the Supreme Court ruled against non-unanimous verdicts.

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