Attorney For Will Smith's Killer Cardell Hayes Claims Self-Defense

Attorney For Will Smith’s Killer Says “My Client Was Not The Aggressor”

I have questions that need answers….

The attorney for Will Smith’s accused murderer, Cardell Hayes, claims his client did not initiate the chain of events that lead the fatal shooting of the former NFL star – it was self-defense.

Former New Orleans Saints Star Will Smith Killed, Wife Injured, In Apparent Road Rage Incident

Via Nola.com:

New Orleans police said Cardell Hayes, 28, fatally shot the 34-year-old Smith and wounded Smith’s wife Racquel after “exchanging words” following a rear-end collision of Smith’s SUV by Hayes’ Hummer H2. The incident occurred Saturday around 11:30 p.m. on Sophie Wright Place in the Lower Garden District, police said.

“My client was not the aggressor, in terms of the behavior that happened after the accident,” said John Fuller, the defense attorney who represented Hayes at his first appearance in Orleans Parish magistrate court. “My client is of the opinion that toxicology should be conducted of all the parties involved in this incident, and that would shed some light on the behavior of some of the participants.”

Magistrate commissioner Brigid Collins, noting NOPD’s finding that Smith had been shot in the back as well as in the right torso, set Hayes’ bond at $1 million. But Fuller said his client was less concerned with getting out on bond ahead of trial than with proving his innocence of the second-degree murder allegation with which he was booked on Sunday.

“The law applies to everyone,” Fuller said. “Whether the victim is famous, infamous, popular, unpopular, black, white, Catholic, Baptist, the law applies equally to everyone. Whether the defendant is popular, unpopular, black, white, rich, poor, Catholic or Baptist, the law applies to him as well. And if the law is applied fairly in this case, I think the results are going to surprise a lot of folks.”

Fuller dismissed speculation that Hayes, who he described as a semi-pro football player and father of a 5-year-old son, had stalked or targeted Smith on Saturday. Smith had dinner Saturday with former Saints running back Pierre Thomas and retired NOPD Capt. William Ceravolo. The former officer was one of six New Orleans police members involved in the fatal shooting of Hayes’ father Anthony Hayes in December 2005.

But Fuller said his client had never met Smith before Saturday night and had no knowledge of the former Saints star’s dinner companions.

“No, how could he?” Fuller scoffed. Of the strange coincidence, the attorney said, “It’s New Orleans. We’re always running into people we know.”

According to Hayes’ defense attorney, Smith or his friend driving the Chevrolet Impala rear-ended Hayes’ Hummer first…then took off.

There may have been an earlier accident, in which one of the parties sped off. My client followed in an attempt to get the license information, and also made a 911 call to report such an accident, all of which should be apparent in upcoming weeks.”

I know there were parties that were intoxicated or under the influence of some type of mind-altering substance, based on appearances. We don’t know that for sure. But we have a strong suspicion that that was the case. (And) it’s possible that one of the other parties had a gun.

His actions are totally consistent with someone that is complying with police investigations. Now tell me if that’s the behavior that’s consistent with someone who is an animal out here, looking for blood.

He was struck in a hit-and-run prior to this incident occurring. My client was hit. The person that hit him sped off. My client followed behind that person in an effort to get their license plate, and my client called 911, which will be verified in the upcoming weeks. My client’s car was struck from the rear. I really don’t know which car (he was chasing), but all that will become apparent in upcoming weeks.

He’s actually a lot nicer than he appears. He’s very soft-spoken, not intimidating, easily approachable. His sanity is not even a consideration.

Some of Hayes family members and friends have taken to social media to support his self-defense claims.

This case is too sensitive to deal with hearsay.

I will keep you updated as more details become available.

Scoop