Isimemen Etute was busted after officers responding to a wellness check Monday night found Jerry Smith dead inside a building on Main Street in Blacksburg, Va., according to police. Etute was arrested June 2, 2021, and charged with the May 31 murder of Jerry Smith, a local Blacksburg man who had posed as a woman online to meet straight, college-aged men. Prior to the incident, In 2020, Virginia Tech recruited the 63 185LB athlete from Cox High in Virginia Beach. Graduated in 2021. Varsity Football (2021) Varsity Football (2018) Varsity Football . Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! I never tricked a man and never will its just wrong and disrespectful TO YOURSELF ASWELL !! Let this be a lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. Certainly hope not, Turk said, when asked if he thinks the federal government would pursue filing charges. What followed was a host of sad events. pos: 'right_rail_3', Ismemen David Etute of Virginia Beach was arrested and charged with second-degree murder June 2 in the death of Smith, a Blacksburg restaurant worker. Please subscribe to keep reading. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Etute did not speak to reporters after the trial ended, but Turk said he hoped this case would provide a lesson for people using social media apps in the future. June 10, 2021, 11:45 a.m.: This article has been updated to note that homicide victim Jerry Paul Smith's family declined to comment after the bond hearing. according to 247sports. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute has been acquitted of a murder which occurred during a Tinder date. env: 'prod', In closing arguments Friday, the prosecution said Etute's recollection of events did not include a reach toward the area where the knife was hidden until after he'd been charged with murder. The jury deliberated for approximately . This article was published more than1 year ago. CHRISTIANSBURG Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen David Etute and his parents, Nichelle and David, issued a statement to The Roanoke Times on Saturday through his defense attorney Jimmy Turk. According to those statements, Etute visited the victims apartment April 10 for oral sex after he was matched up with someone named Angie on Tinder. Security camera footage in the apartment showed all three players leaving quickly, with Etute having spent only three minutes inside Smith's apartment. Ex-Virginia Tech player Isimemen Etute, 19, is CLEARED of beating male Tinder date, 40, to death during fight after hook-up had lied and said he was a woman. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. A grand jury returned the . In taking the stand earlier in the week, Etute had testified that he felt "violated" when he discovered that the Tinder match he believed to be a woman was actually a man. However, a follow-up encounter with the two ended with a fatal tragedy. Cobb said he closely followed the proceedings after he read about the incident last year when it happened. Be honest with who you are. Tim Sullivan HokieHaven He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. Relatives of Smith, meanwhile, reportedly declined to comment after the hearing. Etute testified that he left the April 10 encounter still believing Smith was a woman, but teammates later began teasing him that his sexual partner could have been a man. The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. I hope there will be another university that will see exactly what Ive seen in that young man, which is a young man who is now much smarter than he was before, Turk said. He referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt. The argument wasnt made by the attorneys on either side. Helicopter crash near Ukraine kindergarten kills children and top officials, U.S. lawyer who died in Mexico was "victim of a brutal crime," family says, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar and George Santos get House committee seats, Qantas plane lands safely on single engine after mayday call over Pacific, New Mexico lawmaker says shootings suspect confronted her outside her home, Gov. Also firmly in Etutes corner were his attorney, Jimmy Turk, and Turks family. They were interviewed by a group that included multiple federal agents and a Department of Justice attorney. I live by my mission to Be Bold. Etute said, at that point, he feared Smith was going for a weapon, a notion Etute failed to mention in his initial 2021 interview with police, according to the Times. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Be proud of who you are. According to testimony given in court, 18-year-old Isimemen David Etute said he went to a Blacksburg apartment to meet Angie, a woman he connected with on Tinder. Wizards, Warriors trade blows early then champs leave hosts on canvas, For Victor Robles and the Nats, a thorny offseason storyline returns, Capitals rally from three-goal deficit, clip Islanders in OT. Gay panic refers to claiming, in court, that the reaction to finding out someone elses sexual orientation or gender identity justifies violent acts. } Some have suggested Etute suspected Smith was a dude and went there intending to confront him and potentially retaliate. All Rights Reserved. UPDATE 6:14 p.m.: The Virginia Tech football player facing a second-degree murder charge, Isimemen Etute, will be allowed out on bond under a new agreement. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Immediately after the verdict was announced, Smith's family quickly left the courtroom. Turk cited two cases in Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder charges were released on bail. Obviously, the jury did as well.. Virginia Tech football player Isi Etute told police he punched victim after meeting for sexual encounter. Isimemen Etute, his legal team, and his family were relieved when the not guilty verdict was revealed, which sent everyone into a happy emotional state. The university told CNN it cannot disclose if Etute has been suspended from the university as the information is a confidential part of the students record. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', It isnt about reasonable doubt, I like to say they have to prove their case by 50.1%, Burke said. Duncans decision isnt without precedent. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Ukraine's interior minister, at least 14 others killed in Kyiv helicopter crash, was acquitted Friday evening of second-degree murder, Business cycle: Ex-Burlington Coat Factory location considered by home decor company, Roanoke Wasena Bridge project update: log cabin to be removed, replaced by roundabout, Case of Radford child's many hospital visits ends with Alford plea, Former Blacksburg coach Mickey McGuigan remembered for his 'compassion', Christiansburg Marketplace to add second anchor with Academy Sports + Outdoors, Ford plant halted by Youngkin would have created 2,500 jobs in Southside, Roanoke woman charged in U.S. Capitol riots. Jensen recalled the testimony of medical examiner Dr. Amy Tharp, who Jensen said testified Smith had been the victim of a "brutal beating.". Turk, Etute's lawyer, made arguments that Etute could not be convicted of second-degree murder because there was no malice in his actions and that he should be found not guilty by reason of self-defense, based on his fear that Smith had hidden a weapon. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Isimemen Etute was granted bond Wednesday on the charge of second-degree murder in the Montgomery County General District Court. CHRISTIANSBURG Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty Friday in the beating death of Jerry Paul Smith foll. Etute, 18, will now be under house arrest and electronic monitoring at his parent's house in Virginia Beach, according to prosecutors. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. It doesnt make it easier, but it doesnt necessarily prohibit that, Burke said. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. CASEY: Does an election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections? Plays Football. Instead, the jury believed a self-defense argument that Etute feared for his life after seeing the victim "make a reach" toward his bed where a knife was later found. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., The Roanoke Times reported. There are different standards, and they can determine that this case violates federal law.. Etute practiced with the Hokies during spring camp after enrolling midyear from Cox High School in Virginia Beach. Etute returned to the apartment May 31 to engage in sexual activity and discovered the person he was matched up with was a man, according to summaries of the evidence made by both Morgan and defense attorney Jimmy Turk. Turk, Etute's lawyer, made arguments that Etute could not be convicted of second-degree murder because there was no malice in his actions and that he should be found not guilty by reason of self-defense, based on his fear that Smith had hidden a weapon. They would reportedly meet on April 10th, when the 18-year-old male received an act of pleasure from his Tinder date at the latters apartment. 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Turk said his client went home with his family and friends following the verdict, where theyre decompressing from the trial., Hes certainly been through a lot, having been on trial for an allegation of second-degree murder, said Turk. A former Virginia Tech football player accused of killing a man he'd had a sexual encounter with, believing he was a woman, has been acquitted of murder. What followed was an incident that left Jerry Smith deceased. On July 1, 2021 -- just more than a month after Smith's death -- Virginia passed a bill restricting the use of the so-called gay panic defense, in which a defendant accused of homicide could receive a lesser sentence by saying they panicked after finding out the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. Etute testified that he then believed Smith reached for a weapon under his bed, causing Etute to strike Smith with a fist several more times. The Blacksburg (Va.) Police Department responded to a welfare check Monday night where officers discovered a deceased male victim, according to the city's website. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen David Etute describes an altercation during his murder trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg, Va., Thursday, May 26 2022. Theres also the possibility the Smith family could file a civil suit, which Burke said would require their attorneys to prove based on a preponderance of evidence that Etute was liable. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, claiming he acted in self-defense. A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Virginia's Blacksburg Police Department announced on Wednesday that Virginia Tech freshman linebacker Isimemen Etute has been arrested. Jensen said that while Etute was wearing flip-flops at the time of the encounter, those shoes were attached to a "big person" and a "strong person." Do I? Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Etutes attorney, Jimmy Turk, told reporters, according to The Richmond Times Dispatch. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. More than a dozen football players most of them clad in Virginia Tech gear were there in support of Etute. A former Virginia Tech student and football player can now breathe the most enormous sigh of relief. We are relieved and thankful that God has helped guide us through this extremely hard and punishing journey, the family said. Criminologist Tod Burke, who is a former police officer and retired criminal justice professor, said its not unheard of for the federal government to pursue charges despite a not guilty even in state court. Smith's family declined to comment after the bond hearing. Turk was aware of the federal investigation early on. The suspended Virginia Tech football player is scheduled to stand trial in May. He argued that after Etute punched Smith and Smith fell to the floor, there was "no way" Smith could have reached a weapon under his mattress. page_type: 'article', On Wednesday, Etute was charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY Sports. Virginia Tech revealed that the teen was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the football team. The college student had no prior criminal history. Teams. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. Contact A judge also granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon. Required fields are marked *. He has been required to remain at his parents house in Virginia Beach and is not allowed to leave the state. Isimemen Etute, a former Virginia Tech football player accused of fatally beating a man who he claims he thought was a woman from Tinder, has . Masthead. Ill be fully supportive of him. He previously spent time with Angie and engaged in oral sex with them on April 10. WDBJ is reporting Isimemen Etute is charged with second-degree murder for the death of Jerry Smith, 40, of Blacksburg, Virginia, who was found dead in his apartment June 1 from blunt force trauma . All of the bones in his face were broken and his teeth were also missing, the Roanoke Times reported. TheNew York Postoffered an account given by Isimemen Etute to authorities through Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan. Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. According to the autopsy, all the bones in Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smiths face were broken, his teeth were missing and he had multiple cranial fractures. Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year. Etute has three siblings including a younger sister, 15, with Down syndrome. Isimemen Etute was later charged for the incident. Black Men XCEL Etute testified that Smith was still breathing when he left, and the state's forensic detective testified the entire attack likely took only a few seconds. Your email address will not be published. Isimemen Etute, 19, stands accused of the 2021 murder of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, who Etute met under the name "Angie." (Smith's family has identified the victim as a gay man, according to ABC. Etute was acquired Friday evening of second-degree Murder in the Killing of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, a Blacksburg restaurant worker. Isimemen David Etute at the end of his trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg on Friday. This is me Follow. Etute, who is charged in the death of 40-year-old Jerry Smith, was set to be released to live with his family. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty of second degree murder by a Montgomery County jury on Friday for the beating death of Jerry Smith, 40, according to the Roanoke Times. } targeting: { Hes obviously relieved as well.. BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - The suspect in a Blacksburg killing was released on $75,000 bond Wednesday after being ordered by a judge to stay with his parents and keep in contact with his attorney . His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.. Smiths family was in attendance. The American Nigerian, Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty of a charge of second-degree murder in the 2021 death of Jerry Smith, 40, of Blacksburg. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. tude.cmd.push(function() { In Fridays closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims of self-defense, according to the Times. Two Virginia Tech football players and family hug after the Isimemen Etute hearing in Christiansburg Wednesday. Virginia Tech announced that Isimemen Etute has been suspended from the football team immediately, and the university will aid police as they carry out their investigation into the suspected homicide. Turk later addressed reporters outside of court. Michelle Etute was the first witness called and Turk led her through a series of questions about her sons background, his relationship with his family and their living situation. Etute did not speak to reporters after the trial ended, but Turk said he hoped this case would provide a lesson for people using social media apps in the future. } I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. The law states that juries could not consider such reactions as legitimate justification. Former Virginia Tech players Jalen Hampton and Jordan Brunson, who were called as witnesses in Etutes defense, were interviewed by federal authorities in September. 2022 The Associated Press. Cops found the badly beaten mans body one day later, the newspaper reported. Etute and Hampton, along with a third teammate, Jordan Brunson, decided to return to Smith's apartment to determine Smith's gender. Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. Turk was asked after the verdict came down if Etute should be allowed back at the university. His body was discovered in an unrecognizable state the next day, reports the Post. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. Registry of Corporate Directors. He further says it has only helped him become much smarter, wiser, and stronger, with a new outlook on life in his journey moving forward.. Isimemen Etute also took the stand in the three-day trial, where he shared he felt violated and argued that the act was in self-defense. CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. -- Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty of all charges Friday in the beating death of a Blacksburg resident following an online catfishing scheme. Elder testified that he was disturbed by the circumstances of the meeting, in which Smith hid his face and kept his apartment nearly pitch dark. Im certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did, defense attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com. Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. The order prohibits Etute from going back to Montgomery County except for court proceedings or to consult with his attorney. According toThe Roanoke Times, attorney Jimmy Turk argued that Etute was the real victim.. I started when I was 16 and I haven't looked back. Sales Partnership Solutions Etute has been charged with second-degree murder. The prosecuting attorney, Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Jensen, declined comment and referred questions to his boss, Commonwealth's Attorney Mary Pettitt. Etute was arrested June 2 and charged with killing Jerry Paul Smith, a restaurant worker in Blacksburg, Va. All the bones in Smiths face were broken, teeth were missing and he suffered cranial fractures, an autopsy report revealed. CHRISTIANSBURG A now suspended Virginia Tech football player told police he punched a sexual partner five times in the face and stomped on him after discovering the person he thought was a woman was actually a man, according to arguments presented Wednesday in a Montgomery County courtroom. Once inside, Etute followed "Angie" to the bedroom and initiated another sexual encounter, before grabbing at the victims privates and removing their sweatshirt hood, which is when he found that his sexual partner had mens facial hair. Both players initially left, but Etute returned to the apartment, and testified that he received oral sex and a $50 gift from Smith. Real hard, Etute said. But he finally was able to go to trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court recently. Etute claimed that, after he asked why, Smith reached for his crotch with one hand and down the side of the bed with the other. ABOUT In a strange sort of way, it kind of gives people who think its OK to beat up gay people, it kind of gives them permission to do that, Cobb said, in a pained voice. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Ismemen David Etute, 18, told cops he went to the Blacksburg apartment of 40-year-old Jerry Smith in April for oral sex after matching up with someone named Angie on Tinder, the Roanoke Times reported. "He's going to get his life back, and I'm hopeful," said Jimmy Turk to reporters. But the defense would still be allowed to argue self-defense, an argument that Burke said was obviously a convincing one given the verdict. It will take time to decompress and feel relief from this gut-wrenching, frightening experience in life. Etute -- a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside LB -- signed with Va. Tech after committing to the school in July 2020 . Smith eventually died from blunt force injuries to the head. Ive tried more than 100 murder cases in my lifetime, and normally I dont even ask for bail, Turk told the judge with his voice quivering. Defense attorney Jimmy Turk told the jurors earlier Friday that the commonwealth's evidence was circumstantial, while the defense's evidence, which included the testimony of Etute, was direct. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Who is Mohammed Nuru? Haven & # x27 ; t looked back declined to comment after the Isimemen Etute been! Newspaper reported also firmly in Etutes corner were his attorney 6-4 VA Rank 134 declined comment! Christiansburg Wednesday Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty Friday in the County. Left Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman dropped Wednesday afternoon Jimmy Turk told.. After mistaking him for a woman was suspended from the football team Etute suspected Smith was not a woman evening... 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