National Football League

The Latest: Suspect told off-duty cop he was armed

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:26 p.m. ET

foxsports

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The Latest on a hearing for the suspect in the April shooting death of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith (all times local):

11:20 a.m.

A 911 recording played in court captures the suspect in the shooting of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith stating that he was carrying his weapon and Smith was unarmed when they got out of their cars to argue over a collision.

The recording includes a conversation between Cardell Hayes and an off-duty police officer, Christopher McGaw, who arrived on the scene after hearing the car crash and arguments. The rookie officer says he ducked for cover and didn't see the gunfire itself.

The rookie officer testified Friday that he kept the 911 line open as he talked with Hayes. He was on the stand as the recording - often difficult to understand - was played in court. McGaw testified that Hayes told him that when Smith saw his handgun, Smith said he had one as well.

Police have said that Smith's gun was inside his car and was not fired.

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9 a.m.

The suspect in the fatal shooting of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith is back in court.

Prosecutors and attorneys for Cardell Hayes plan to argue over several issues Friday, possibly including a motion to reduce the suspect's $1.75 million bond to an amount that would enable him leave jail pending trial on second-degree murder.

Police say Hayes rammed his Hummer into Smith's SUV and then shot the retired NFL player in the street the night of April 9. Hayes also is charged with attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of Smith's wife, who was hit in both legs.

The defense says Hayes was not the aggressor, and that a witness saw Smith with a gun.