The Latest: Arguments over prosecutor in Will Smith case

NEW ORLEANS – The Latest on defence attempts to have the New Orleans district attorney’s office removed from the case of a man arrested in the shooting death of former Saints player Will Smith (all times local):

10:50 a.m.

A hearing has been postponed until Friday on whether the New Orleans district attorney should be removed from the prosecution of the man accused of fatally shooting former Saints defensive end Will Smith.

Cardell Hayes is charged with second-degree murder. Defence attorney John Fuller says District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro and his staff should be kicked off the case because he has made baseless accusations of wrongdoing against Fuller.

Fuller said in court Wednesday he plans to file more information to back up his effort. The judge agreed to postpone the hearing until Friday, when she expects to rule.

Hayes is set for trial Sept. 20. Prosecutors say he provoked an April 9 confrontation by ramming his SUV into one driven by Smith. The defence attorney has argued that Smith was the aggressor and that Hayes fired in self-defence after Smith went to his car to get his gun.

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8 a.m.

A judge in New Orleans is set to hear arguments on whether the local district attorney’s office should be barred from prosecuting the suspect in the shooting death of retired Saints star Will Smith.

Cardell Hayes is charged with second-degree murder in the case. Defence attorney John Fuller says District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro and his staff should be kicked off the case because he has made baseless accusations of wrongdoing against Fuller.

Judge Camille Buras is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday morning.

Hayes is set for trial Sept. 20. Prosecutors say he provoked an April 9 confrontation by ramming his SUV into one driven by Smith. Fuller has argued that Smith was the aggressor and that Hayes fired in self-defence after Smith went to his car to get his gun.