Retrial date set for Cardell Hayes, formerly convicted of killing Saints’ Will Smith

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The man formerly convicted of killing former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith will head to trial a second time later this year.

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Camille Buras set Cardell Hayes’ new trial date for Aug. 22.

Hayes, 34, claimed the 2016 shooting of Smith and his wife was in self-defense. He was charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder and later convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter by a split jury vote of 10-2.

The convictions were vacated after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that non-unanimous juries are unconstitutional.

Hayes has been out on bond while awaiting his new trial.

In January, a district court judge denied a motion from Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams’ office to change the venue of the case.

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