Ad Disclosure
Man found guilty of manslaughter in shooting of former Buckeye Will Smith
Published:
Will Smith’s family got justice.
On Sunday night, Cardell Hayes was found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting of the former Ohio State and New Orleans Saints star Will Smith.
BREAKING: Cardell Hayes found guilty of manslaughter in the killing of #WillSmith @FOX8NOLA
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) December 12, 2016
Hayes will face 20-40 years in prison for the road rage incident that resulted in Smith’s death. He faced charges for second-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated criminal damage.
The defense claimed that Hayes shot Smith in self-defense after the two men left their cars following what experts believed was an “an intentional crash.” But after five hours and 40 minutes, the jury ruled 10-2 in favor of the conviction.
Smith had a blood alcohol content of .235, which is three times the legal limit. Still, there was no reported weapon on the former defensive lineman at the time of the shooting.
Hayes will be sentenced on Feb. 17, 2017.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.