Hayes has already been charged with second-degree murder in Smith’s death, though charges relating to the shooting of Smith’s wife have not been filed “pending further investigation”, police have said.
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A defence lawyer for Hayes, John Fuller, has insisted he will be vindicated once the full story emerges.
Police said Tuesday that two fully loaded guns, one in Smith’s vehicle and one in Hayes’ vehicle were recovered.
“There were multiple threats that were made by multiple parties not associated with Mr. Hayes”.
“My client believes that Cardell saved his life”. The department did not say who owned the weapon.
On Saturday night, Smith, now retired, was shot and killed in New Orleans after a minor traffic incident. “It would be safe to say that not only did my client feel threatened, but citizens that were out there on that block felt threatened as well”, Fuller said.
“I hate guns”, he said in an interview with USA Today Sports.
Payton said he spent much of Sunday at the hospital with Smith’s family while Smith’s wife, Racquel, underwent surgery. “Now, tell me if that’s the behavior that’s consistent with someone who’s an animal out here looking for blood”, Fuller said. 45 caliber handgun that is the suspected murder weapon. They also found a fully loaded revolver inside suspect Cardell Hayes’ vehicle.
Police also said Tuesday that they were reviewing surveillance videos from the neighborhood.
Surveillance video from a restaurant on Magazine Street appears to show the initial incident, where two vehicles matching the description of Smith and Hayes’ vehicles were involved. The Hummer then pulls over toward the curb while the Mercedes drives off. The Hummer then follows in pursuit.
The chain of events that led to the killing started with an alleged hit-and-run, where Smith’s auto allegedly hit Hayes’ Hummer H2. “No-one else was injured in the gunfire”, police said.
Newly released video captured moments after the shooting death of former Saint’s defensive end Will Smith, revealing the shock of eyewitnesses and the sounds of anguish from his wife.
“I witnessed a close friend, teammate and a man that I thought of as one of my big brothers in the National Football League shot to death OVER A F-KING FENDER BENDER!!!!! Why!?” “These images that I have in my head will never leave me and I understand that and will have to live with it”.
The hit-and-run incident occurred minutes before Smith was shot and killed. Another male and female were inside Smith’s vehicle.
Smith Sr. said he is upset people are attempting to tarnish his son’s reputation now that he’s dead by making it seem like he provoked this situation.
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“He’s trying to paint (Will) out to be the bad guy because he had money”, William Smith said of Fuller.
