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Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Shooting Death of Former Saints DE Will Smith

April 25, 2024

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Cardell Hayes was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday for shooting and killing former NFL defensive end Will Smith in 2016.

Hayes was originally convicted of manslaughter in December 2016, but the conviction was later thrown out because the jury voted 10-2. The Supreme Court outlawed non-unanimous verdicts in 2020.

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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