Cardell Hayes, known as "Bear", is a former New Orleans prep Football star who was once considered one of ’Louisiana s rising gridiron Stars. He is listed as a player for the Crescent City Kings Local Development team as recently as 2015. Bear Hayes is a graduate of University of New Orleans.

In 2014, Hayes appeared as an extra in the film 22 Jump Street. Smith was a former Security guard for the New Orleans Saints.

In April 2016, Cardell shot former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith to death in a road rage incident. The two men "exchanged words" before Hayes pulled out a gun and began firing, police said. Witnesses reported hearing six to eight shots. Hayes also shot Will's wife Racquel Smith in the leg. Cardell was booked for second degree murder. He was indicted on April 28, 2016.

On December 26, 2005 Cardell Hayes's father, Anthony Hayes was shot nine times by the New Orleans Police Department and died at the scene. Smith was having dinner with one of these Police officer the night that Cardell shot Smith.

Cardell already won a multi-million dollar Lawsuit from the NOPD for the wrongful death of his father. ^[1]

On December 11, 2016, Hayes was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Smith and attempted manslaughter for Shooting Smith's wife, Racquel Smith.

The manslaughter charge carries up to 40 years, while the attempted manslaughter charge carries up to 20 years.

The sentencing will be determined by a Judge on February 17, 2017.

On April 20, 2017, Hayes was sentenced to 25 years in Prison for manslaughter.