In a dramatic turn of events, Cardell Hayes, the man who shot former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith following a traffic crash nearly eight years ago, has been convicted of manslaughter. The jury deliberated for over four hours, finally reaching a verdict in the retrial just after midnight on Saturday.

Hayes, now 36 years old, had previously been convicted in December 2016 of manslaughter in Smith's death and attempted manslaughter for the gunshot wounding of Smith's wife, Racquel Smith. However, the conviction was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court due to non-unanimous verdict rules. Hayes was released on bond after serving more than four years of a 25-year sentence.

During the retrial, the jury acquitted Hayes of attempted manslaughter in the shooting and wounding of Racquel Smith during the April 2016 confrontation. However, he now faces up to 40 years in prison for the manslaughter conviction.

The prosecution presented its case against Hayes, and on Friday, they rested, after which the defense chose not to call any witnesses. District Attorney Jason Williams, in his closing argument, emphasized that Hayes had fired needlessly, exhibiting a handgun in the courtroom as evidence of the crime. The gun was responsible for hitting Smith eight times, including seven shots to the back, and also injuring Smith's wife.

Defense attorney John Fuller countered the prosecution's claims, arguing that Hayes had acted in self-defense. He pointed to a recording of a 911 call made after the shooting, during which Hayes can be heard claiming that Smith planned to retrieve a gun from his car. Additionally, Fuller sought to discredit the prosecution's assertion that Racquel Smith had calmed her husband before the shooting occurred.

The evidence in the case indicated that Will Smith was intoxicated during the confrontation, but no witnesses or forensic evidence confirmed Hayes' claim that Smith had brandished or fired a weapon. Smith, known as a defensive leader in the Saints team, played a significant role in lifting the spirits of New Orleans after the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He helped the team achieve a winning season in 2006 and secured a Super Bowl victory in 2010.

Cardell Hayes' conviction for manslaughter brings a sense of closure to the long-standing legal battle surrounding the tragic incident. With the possibility of up to 40 years in prison looming, Hayes now awaits sentencing as the city of New Orleans seeks justice for the loss of a beloved sports figure.