Cardell Hayes charged in murder of former Saints' DE Will Smith

Cardell Hayes was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday in the shooting death of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith.

Hayes also was indicted by a grand jury for attempted murder of Smith's wife, Racquel, who was injured in the shooting incident on April 9 in New Orleans after a minor traffic accident, and for aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated criminal damage to a vehicle.

Hayes pleaded not guilty to the four charges filed against him. He is being held on a $1.75 million bond.

According to the police report, Hayes' vehicle hit Smith's SUV from behind and an argument ensued. Smith was struck by eight bullets, including seven in the back, and died at the scene. His wife was shot twice in a leg but survived.

There was plenty of action in court during the proceedings. A grand jury indicted Hayes in one courtroom while a preliminary hearing to determine probable cause for a murder charge was underway before another judge. An assistant district attorney rushed from one court to another.

The preliminary hearing was stopped when the magistrate judge lost jurisdiction in the case because of the grand jury indictment. The case then went before Criminal District Judge Camille Buras in another courtroom.

Meanwhile, outside the courtroom there was a fight between two women that was broken up by bailiffs. They were removed from the scene in handcuffs.

The case was halted when it reached Buras and a discovery hearing was set for May 18.

Hayes' attorney, John Fuller, complained that the indictment was the "fastest ever" and argued that his client was called to the grand jury to testify without a reminder.

The prosecution did not call any witnesses but used the arrest report as evidence. Fuller then asked that Hayes be released while the judge researched the case.

"I've spoken to (Smith's wife) Racquel and relayed to her the results of this indictment," the Smith family's attorney, Peter Thomson said. "She's very, very pleased, the family's pleased, we're all pleased with the indictment.

"We're not surprised. And we're very confident that once all the facts are in evidence, then the defendant will be convicted on all counts. While nothing can relieve the pain that Racquel and her family are dealing with, we feel this is a step in the right direction toward justice."