Cardell Hayes’ former lawyer, John Fuller has reiterated that his client was acting in self defense and begun laying out evidence to prove his case.  Surveillance video was released that appeared to show Will Smith’s Mercedes SUV rear-ending Hayes’ Hummer, three blocks away from when the shooting happened.  Hayes pulls over and Smith drives away.  Hayes says he followed Smith to get his license plate number and then the shooting occurred.  Hayes and his passenger, Kevin O’Neal say Smith had a gun in his car and they believe he was going to shoot them.  A loaded 9mm gun was found in Smith’s car but it was never fired.  An attorney for the Smith family refutes Hayes’ account and tells a different story.  His main evidence is that Racquel Smith, Will’s wife was shot first.

Attorney Peter Thomson, speaking at a press conference at University Medical Center where Racquel Smith is being treated for gunshot wounds to each of her legs, said Smith’s accused killer has presented “lies and factual distortions” of what happened that night.

Will was not “inebriated.” An orange Hummer suddenly stops in front of them, forcing them to slam the brakes. Will and Racquel were concerned for their safety after the Hummer braked; they saw no damage, so they continued on their way.

Shortly thereafter, they notice Hummer pursuing them and “violently ram” the back of their car, causing the back windshield to shatter.

Will got out of the car and saw the driver of Hummer coming at them. Words were then exchanged.

Will’s intent is to find out, ‘Who is this guy? Why is he attacking me?’ (Hayes) is enraged, yelling and cursing.

The situation was diffused, Racquel walked Will back to the car…”At this point, the killer follows him.

Suddenly, two shots are fired.  Racquel was deliberately shot first.  She is shot immediately in both legs and collapses. After Racquel was shot, the killer unloads six to eight shots into Will’s back.

“At no time during this event did Will Smith ever brandish or carry on his person a firearm,” Thomson said.

The killer showed no remorse whatsoever. As Racquel crawled away, cowering, Hayes stood over body of Smith.

Will Smith died after being shot eight times, including seven times in the back, Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Jeffrey Rouse said Wednesday.  “Many of these bullets perforated vital organs, including the lungs and heart,” Rouse said.

Complete autopsy results, including toxicology findings indicating the presence of alcohol or drugs in Smith’s system, are pending.

Shay Marie: Twitter || Instagram

via Evan Woodbery and The Times-Picayune