NEW ORLEANS – One day after a jury returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Will Smith and the shooting of Smith’s wife Racquel, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said he understands how a jury could opt for manslaughter over the higher charge of second-degree murder.
Cannizzaro though, will seek the maximum 60-year sentence for the two guilty verdicts – 40 years maximum for the manslaughter of Will Smith and 20 years for the attempted manslaughter of Racquel Smith.
Even though Cannizzaro’s office didn’t get a conviction on the top count, he said the jury got it right. “(From) the perspective of public safety, trying to make New Orleans safer, a better place, it is a win,” he said.
Sunday night, jurors rejected Hayes’ claim of self-defense and held him “criminally responsible” for both crimes.
“There was testimony that Will Smith did get out of the vehicle in an aggressive fashion,” Cannizzaro said. “We also know that Mr. Smith had a blood alcohol content that was over the legal limit.”
Smith family attorney Peter Thomson thanked prosecutors for their hard work in getting the guilty verdict.
“Raquel is still dealing with her loss with this terrible tragedy,” he said. “She shares everyone's feelings that this has been a tragedy for everyone involved.”
Defense attorney John Fuller, did not make public comment Monday, but he did make a post on Instagram, citing a Bible passage (Matthew 11:28) and then continued, “We put our all into it and the Lord protected you from a life sentence, but the fight is far from over and our journey has just begun. Pray for #smith family. Pray for #hayes family, pray for #justice #justiceaintblind #justice4bear Love you lil brother.”