NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The man who fatally shot retired NFL star Will Smith during a confrontation following a car crash in 2016 is scheduled for sentencing Thursday in a New Orleans courtroom.
It’s the second time Cardell Hayes, 36, has faced sentencing in Smith’s death. He was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 and later sentenced to 25 years. But the jury vote had been 10-2 and the conviction was later tossed after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed such non-unanimous verdicts.
Hayes was released on bond after having served more than four years of the original sentence. He remained free during multiple retrial delays, some due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But he was taken back into custody following the unanimous Jan. 27 verdict and has been awaiting sentencing at the New Orleans jail.
Smith was shot eight times — seven times in the back — during a confrontation with Hayes that happened after Hayes’ SUV struck the rear of Smith’s vehicle.
Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new US foreign aid bill
Kenneth Eugene Smith: Alabama carries out first US nitrogen gas execution
Otago councillors vote to delay notification of controversial land, water plan
Baby Ru: Police contact whānau after three months of silence
Judge to probe corruption accusation against wife of Spain's leader filed by right
Chlöe Swarbrick announces she will run for Greens co
Free trade deal with India challenging but not impossible
Year in Politics: The year of three prime ministers and a swing to the right
West Virginia says it will appeal ruling that allowed transgender teen athlete to compete
Jimmy Lai provided HK$1.5 million loan to activists, court hears
Meta more than doubles Q1 profit but revenue guidance pulls shares down after
Easter weekend: What's open, what's not and when you have to pay a surcharge