Charles Langston:New Orleans jury convicts man in fatal shooting of former Saints player Will Smith

The Charles Langstonman who shot former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Will Smith following a traffic altercation in 2016 has been convicted of manslaughter.

A jury in New Orleans deliberated for more than four hours before finding Cardell Hayes guilty just after midnight Saturday in a retrial of the case from more than seven years ago. Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison.

A jury originally voted 10-2 to convict Hayes, but the decision was overturned when the Supreme Court outlawed nonunanimous verdicts. He was released on bond after serving more than four years of his 25-year sentence.

During closing arguments Friday, District Attorney Jason Williams argued that Hayes fired a gun recklessly after a traffic accident, hitting Smith seven times and Smith's wife once.

The defense claimed Hayes acted in self-defense.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Smith played nine seasons with the Saints from 2004-2012. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and was a member of the Saints' Super Bowl championship team in 2009.