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Will Smith killer guilty of manslaughter

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton walks with Will Smith's widow Racquel into Orleans Criminal Court for the trial of Cardell Hayes on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 in New Orleans. Hayes killed Will Smith in a road rage incident, in which Smith's wife was also shot and wounded. (Michael DeMocker/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP) New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton walks with Will Smith's widow Racquel into Orleans Criminal Court for the trial of Cardell Hayes on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 in New Orleans. Hayes killed Will Smith in a road rage incident, in which Smith's wife was also shot and wounded. (Michael DeMocker/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP)

By Associated Press December 12, 2016 1 min read

A Louisiana jury has found the man who fatally shot retired New Orleans Saints star Will Smith guilty of manslaughter.

Sunday night’s verdict capped the week-long trial of 29-year-old Cardell Hayes, who also was found guilty of attempted manslaughter for wounding Smith’s wife.

The shooting happened the night of April 9 after a car crash in New Orleans.

Hayes claimed he fired only after an irate and drunken Smith punched him and then retrieved a gun from his damaged SUV.

The prosecution said evidence showed Smith never armed himself and Hayes was not justified in firing.