Closing arguments begin as retrial of ex-NFL star Smith’s killer nears an end

By KEVIN McGILL
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The manslaughter retrial of a man who fatally shot former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith is nearing its end. Prosecution and defense attorneys spent Friday afternoon delivering closing arguments to the jury that will decide 36-year-old Cardell Hayes’ fate. Hayes shot Smith following a traffic crash almost eight years ago. Hayes was convicted in December 2016 of manslaughter in Smith’s death and attempted manslaughter for the gunshot wounding of Smith’s wife. But the jury vote was 10-2, and the conviction was tossed after the Supreme Court outlawed nonunanimous verdicts. Hayes has long insisted that he shot Smith in self-defense confrontation.