Jumat, 29 April 2016

Man Charged With Killing Super Bowl Winner


A man has been charged with second-degree murder over the shooting of a former US football player.

Will Smith, who won the Super Bowl in 2010 with the New Orleans Saints, was killed after he was involved in a car crash in the city.

Police said there was an argument after defendant Cardell Hayes hit the back of Smith's Mercedes.

The retired defensive end was shot seven times in the back and once in his side, while his wife Racquel, who was in the passenger seat, was shot twice in the legs but survived.

Hayes, a business owner and semi-professional US football player, is also facing an attempted murder charge over her shooting.

A lawyer for the Smith family said he never brandished or carried a gun and claimed Hayes was "enraged" during the altercation.

But Hayes' lawyer said he was not the aggressor and claimed a witness saw a gun in Smith's possession, while police said a loaded gun was found in Smith's vehicle.

The Smith family said they were pleased, though not surprised, that a grand jury had indicted Hayes.

A statement said: "The Smith family remains confident that once a jury hears all the evidence, Hayes will be convicted and justice will be served."

Hayes was also charged with assault and aggravated damage to property.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and his bail was set at $1.75m (£1.20m).

Second-degree murder is defined as an intentional killing that is not premeditated or planned.

Smith was praised as a leader on the Saints team that rebounded - along with New Orleans itself - after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005.

He stayed in the area after he retired in 2012 and was active with various charities. (skynews)

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