NEW ORLEANS — The long-awaited re-trial of Cardell Hayes in the killing of former Saints star Will Smith will not happen next Monday as scheduled after a judge granted the prosecution's motion to postpone the case.
Judge Camille Buras will instead hold a pre-trial hearing that day to determine the next step in the case, court records show.
Hayes admitted shooting Smith in a road rage incident on Magazine Street in April 2016, a shooting that Hayes claims was in self-defense. In a closely followed trial later that year, Hayes was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
After Hayes had served three years behind bars, the 10-to-2 verdict was thrown out because it was not unanimous as required by a newly passed state law. Hayes was re-indicted on a charge of manslaughter and remains free on bond pending his new trial.
