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The Latest: Prosecutor says defensive star died defenseless

Published Dec. 6, 2016 12:38 p.m. ET

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) The Latest on the second-degree murder trial of Cardell Hayes, who fatally shot former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith during a traffic dispute (all times local):

11:10 a.m.

A prosecutor says the irony of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith's death is that the retired NFL defensive leader ''died defenseless.''

In Tuesday's opening arguments in the trial of Cardell Hayes, prosecutor Jason Napoli acknowledged that Smith was intoxicated the night Hayes killed him. But he stressed that Smith was unarmed when he was shot.

Hayes faces life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.

Both men got out of their cars after Hayes' Hummer slammed into Smith's SUV, but Hayes's lawyer has argued that Smith was the aggressor. Police have said there was an unfired, loaded gun in Smith's car when he was shot last April.

In the courtroom are friends and family of both Smith and Hayes, as well as Saints players Roman Harper and Jahri Evans.

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6 a.m.

After a jury selection process that lasted well into the night, opening statements are expected in the trial of the man charged with murder after he shot retired New Orleans Saints star Will Smith.

Cardell Hayes faces life in prison if convicted on a second-degree murder charge. He's also charged with attempted second-degree murder because Smith's wife Racquel was wounded by gunfire.

The shots rang out during an argument that followed an April 9 traffic crash.

Twelve jurors and four alternates were chosen Monday.

Hayes's defense lawyer has cast Smith as the aggressor in the argument.

Prosecutors have said Hayes willfully rammed Smith's SUV - leading to the confrontation.

Surveillance video from near the scene showed Smith's vehicle had earlier lightly struck Hayes' vehicle.

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