[h=1]New Orleans coroner: Will Smith shot 8 times; 7 times in back[/h]
NEW ORLEANS -- Will Smith's wife, Racquel, was shot twice in the legs before Smith himself was shot eight times and killed on Saturday night, according to the family's attorney, Peter M. Thomson, who told their version of events for the first time on Wednesday.
The New Orleans coroner confirmed Wednesday that Smith was shot eight times -- seven in the back and once in the chest -- in his preliminary report, which preliminarily classified the former New Orleans Saints' defensive end's death as a homicide.
Coroner Jeffrey Rouse said in a statement that preliminary autopsy results revealed "seven of these wounds were penetrating in nature, with projectiles recovered and no corresponding exit wounds.
"These bullet tracks had entrance into the left upper back (1), left mid-back (2), left lower back (3), and left lateral chest wall (1). Many of these bullets perforated vital organs, including the lungs and heart.
"One of these wounds was a perforating wound, with both an entrance and an exit wound. This bullet entered the left upper back, traversed soft tissue, and exited from the right shoulder area."
Rouse said toxicology results will be available in approximately six to eight weeks.
Police and attorneys for both sides all agree that Smith was shot by Cardell Hayes on Saturday night after a traffic collision and a heated exchange of words between Smith and Hayes outside of their vehicles. Hayes has been booked with second-degree murder, with charges still pending.
The two sides, however, have painted different pictures about who was the aggressor in the argument.
Thomson described Hayes as being "enraged" after he violently slammed into Smith's vehicle from behind. But he said that the witnesses he has spoken with believed that the argument between Smith and Hayes had eventually been diffused, and that Smith and his wife were returning to Smith's vehicle before Hayes opened fire on them. Thomson said the first shot hit Smith in her right leg, breaking her femur, while the second passed through her left thigh.
"The killer showed no remorse whatsoever," Thomson said. As Racquel Smith crawled away, cowering, he said, Hayes stood over Will Smith's body.
Racquel Smith remains in the hospital but is expected to recover from her wounds.
Thomson confirmed that Smith had a registered firearm in his vehicle, as the police revealed Tuesday. But Thomson said he believed the gun was in a compartment, and, "at no time during this event, to my knowledge at all, did Will Smith ever brandish or carry on his person a firearm."
Thomson also said he was not aware of any threats by Smith to go and get his gun.
Hayes' attorney, John Fuller, has claimed that his client was not the aggressor in the incident and said his client felt threatened. Fuller did not specify who made threats against Hayes, but he suggested that the presence of a gun in Smith's vehicle would help prove his client was not guilty of second-degree murder.
Earlier Wednesday, the lawyer for the passenger in Hayes' SUV said the killing was "justifiable homicide.''
That statement came from attorney Tanzanika Ruffin on behalf of the passenger, Kevin O'Neal.
O'Neal was in the SUV with Hayes, who was arrested on a second-degree murder charge after Saturday night's shooting in New Orleans. Ruffin says O'Neal believes his life was saved by Hayes because, in Ruffin's words, "Smith had a gun and was going to shoot it.''
Thomson also rejected the notion that the killing was preceded by a "hit-and-run" a few blocks away. Surveillance video from several New Orleans businesses captured a vehicle matching the description of Hayes' vehicle stopping on the street just in front of a vehicle matching the description of Smith's vehicle. It appeared that Smith's vehicle may have bumped into Hayes' vehicle.
It appeared that Hayes' vehicle then began to pull over to the side, while Smith's vehicle drove off.
Thomson, however, said that the Smiths and another couple riding as passengers in their vehicle all agreed that they had not hit Hayes' vehicle. And they decided to drive away in part because of fear for their safety, not knowing why the vehicle had stopped abruptly in front of them.
Thomson also said that Smith was not too inebriated to drive.
Thomson began his comments Wednesday with a statement from Racquel Smith, who said Will was a wonderful husband, father and "she considered him her Superman." She said that night, "as he always does, he was protecting here and trying to protect her as best he could."
"We believe she will recover physically," Thomson said. "The emotional scars, however, she will never recover from. These will last forever, for both here and the children."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
NEW ORLEANS -- Will Smith's wife, Racquel, was shot twice in the legs before Smith himself was shot eight times and killed on Saturday night, according to the family's attorney, Peter M. Thomson, who told their version of events for the first time on Wednesday.
The New Orleans coroner confirmed Wednesday that Smith was shot eight times -- seven in the back and once in the chest -- in his preliminary report, which preliminarily classified the former New Orleans Saints' defensive end's death as a homicide.
Coroner Jeffrey Rouse said in a statement that preliminary autopsy results revealed "seven of these wounds were penetrating in nature, with projectiles recovered and no corresponding exit wounds.
"These bullet tracks had entrance into the left upper back (1), left mid-back (2), left lower back (3), and left lateral chest wall (1). Many of these bullets perforated vital organs, including the lungs and heart.
"One of these wounds was a perforating wound, with both an entrance and an exit wound. This bullet entered the left upper back, traversed soft tissue, and exited from the right shoulder area."
Rouse said toxicology results will be available in approximately six to eight weeks.
Police and attorneys for both sides all agree that Smith was shot by Cardell Hayes on Saturday night after a traffic collision and a heated exchange of words between Smith and Hayes outside of their vehicles. Hayes has been booked with second-degree murder, with charges still pending.
The two sides, however, have painted different pictures about who was the aggressor in the argument.
Thomson described Hayes as being "enraged" after he violently slammed into Smith's vehicle from behind. But he said that the witnesses he has spoken with believed that the argument between Smith and Hayes had eventually been diffused, and that Smith and his wife were returning to Smith's vehicle before Hayes opened fire on them. Thomson said the first shot hit Smith in her right leg, breaking her femur, while the second passed through her left thigh.
"The killer showed no remorse whatsoever," Thomson said. As Racquel Smith crawled away, cowering, he said, Hayes stood over Will Smith's body.
Racquel Smith remains in the hospital but is expected to recover from her wounds.
Thomson confirmed that Smith had a registered firearm in his vehicle, as the police revealed Tuesday. But Thomson said he believed the gun was in a compartment, and, "at no time during this event, to my knowledge at all, did Will Smith ever brandish or carry on his person a firearm."
Thomson also said he was not aware of any threats by Smith to go and get his gun.
Hayes' attorney, John Fuller, has claimed that his client was not the aggressor in the incident and said his client felt threatened. Fuller did not specify who made threats against Hayes, but he suggested that the presence of a gun in Smith's vehicle would help prove his client was not guilty of second-degree murder.
Earlier Wednesday, the lawyer for the passenger in Hayes' SUV said the killing was "justifiable homicide.''
That statement came from attorney Tanzanika Ruffin on behalf of the passenger, Kevin O'Neal.
O'Neal was in the SUV with Hayes, who was arrested on a second-degree murder charge after Saturday night's shooting in New Orleans. Ruffin says O'Neal believes his life was saved by Hayes because, in Ruffin's words, "Smith had a gun and was going to shoot it.''
Thomson also rejected the notion that the killing was preceded by a "hit-and-run" a few blocks away. Surveillance video from several New Orleans businesses captured a vehicle matching the description of Hayes' vehicle stopping on the street just in front of a vehicle matching the description of Smith's vehicle. It appeared that Smith's vehicle may have bumped into Hayes' vehicle.
It appeared that Hayes' vehicle then began to pull over to the side, while Smith's vehicle drove off.
Thomson, however, said that the Smiths and another couple riding as passengers in their vehicle all agreed that they had not hit Hayes' vehicle. And they decided to drive away in part because of fear for their safety, not knowing why the vehicle had stopped abruptly in front of them.
Thomson also said that Smith was not too inebriated to drive.
Thomson began his comments Wednesday with a statement from Racquel Smith, who said Will was a wonderful husband, father and "she considered him her Superman." She said that night, "as he always does, he was protecting here and trying to protect her as best he could."
"We believe she will recover physically," Thomson said. "The emotional scars, however, she will never recover from. These will last forever, for both here and the children."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Payton of course did not state that guns could be shipped legally....he merely noted with accuracy that weapons are routinely purchased via internet communique and subsequently shipped to the buyer with virtually no impediment by law enforcement.
He clearly recognizes that the black market is thriving in today's USA, but his implication that this market can be restrained is as foolhardy as anyone who suggests black markets can be squelched with passage of additional laws.
(Sound the Alarm!! My pal Lanquel helped construct the above post!!)
He clearly recognizes that the black market is thriving in today's USA, but his implication that this market can be restrained is as foolhardy as anyone who suggests black markets can be squelched with passage of additional laws.
(Sound the Alarm!! My pal Lanquel helped construct the above post!!)
It is not unreasonable to feel empathy for Smith's family.
But I would concur it is equally reasonable to not give it undue attention when in fact, thousands of people worldwide die in violent incidents daily. To attempt deliberate attention to even a few each day would be mentally paralyzing.
Likely better, IMHO to instead channel mental energy towards a personal commitment to non-violent thinking and behavior. Such thinking is as contagious as any and likely better serves us all.
I wonder of coach would have said this 3 weeks ago before he signed his new 6 year contract
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...smith-death-sean-payton-new-orleans/82899630/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...smith-death-sean-payton-new-orleans/82899630/
Is it just me or is the media and the reports, are constantly changing on "what happened"
"Police have said Hayes' Hummer hit Smith's Mercedes SUV from behind on April 9, and they got into an argument in which Smith was shot and killed"
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15420843/will-smith-alleged-shooter-cardell-hayes-indicted-slaying
In the video, Hayes stops suddenly and Smith hits him, then drives off
"Police have said Hayes' Hummer hit Smith's Mercedes SUV from behind on April 9, and they got into an argument in which Smith was shot and killed"
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15420843/will-smith-alleged-shooter-cardell-hayes-indicted-slaying
In the video, Hayes stops suddenly and Smith hits him, then drives off
