Cardell Hayes had a new trial in January in connection with the shooting death of Will Smith. This was the second time Hayes faced trial in the case after he was granted a new trial under Louisiana's unanimous jury law. A jury found him not guilty on count one for attempted manslaughter – and found him guilty of manslaughter with a firearm.

On Thursday, a judged sentenced Cardell Hayes to that 25-year prison term in connection with the 2016 death of the Saints star. In January, a jury found Hayes guilty of manslaughter in Smith’s death.

Cardell Hayes, the man who was found guilty of manslaughter in the killing of former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison with credit for time served.

My dad will never watch me walk across the stage or walk me down the aisle,” high school senior said. "He will never see any of my achievements, ever."

Cardell Hayes was sentenced to 25 years in prison Thursday for shooting and killing former NFL defensive end Will Smith in 2016. Hayes was

The man who shot and killed former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith in 2016 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday.

The man who shot and killed former Saints defensive end Will Smith received a 25-year sentence for manslaughter in New Orleans on Thursday.

The conviction was the second for Cardell Hayes in the 2016 shooting death of Smith. The first was overturned after a Supreme Court decision rendered it unconstitutional.

Cardell Hayes was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted on manslaughter charges in the killing of Will Smith.