TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-New Orleans jury convicts man in fatal shooting of former Saints player Will Smith

The TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Centerman who shot former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Will Smith following a traffic altercation in 2016 has been convicted of manslaughter.

A jury in New Orleans deliberated for more than four hours before finding Cardell Hayes guilty just after midnight Saturday in a retrial of the case from more than seven years ago. Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison.

A jury originally voted 10-2 to convict Hayes, but the decision was overturned when the Supreme Court outlawed nonunanimous verdicts. He was released on bond after serving more than four years of his 25-year sentence.

During closing arguments Friday, District Attorney Jason Williams argued that Hayes fired a gun recklessly after a traffic accident, hitting Smith seven times and Smith's wife once.

The defense claimed Hayes acted in self-defense.

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Smith played nine seasons with the Saints from 2004-2012. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and was a member of the Saints' Super Bowl championship team in 2009.