Trial Begins For Murderer Of Former NFL Player Will Smith

Cardell “Bear” Hayes, the man accused of shooting and killing former NFL player Will Smith during a road rage incident, is seeing his day in court.

According to court documents, Smith and his wife were shot by Hayes on April 9 after Hayes rear ended Smith’s vehicle with his Hummer. Will Smith and Cardell Hayes exchanged words, before authorities allege Hayes “produced a handgun and shot Smith multiple times.”  Reports say Will Smith was shot 7 times in the back. His wife,  Raquel Smith, was shot once in the leg.

The jury, made up of eight women and four men,  listened to opening arguments on Tuesday in a New Orleans courtroom.  Assistant District Attorney Jason Napoli revealed that NFL free agent Pierre Thomas was a witness to the murder and that Raquel will testify to Hayes standing over Smith’s dead body taunting him and saying,”That’s what you get for showing off for those f—–g white boys.”

Hours after hearing opening arguments, the jury was shown photographs of Will Smith dead body in a pool of blood after the shooting. The prosecution also notes that there was no gun found in Smith’s possession or in his glove box.

You can read the court coverage in full detail HERE.