Isimemen Etute, 21, entered a plea of not guilty at Thursday's arraignment for the 2021 murder of Jerry Smith, 40, according to NBC Roanoke affiliate WSLS. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. } cat: 'news', MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (TCD) -- A former football player at Virginia Tech University was found not guilty of beating a man to death who posed as a woman on a dating app. The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, claiming he acted in self-defense. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The three-day trial might not have done much to pique their interest. cnx({ The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. It doesnt make it easier, but it doesnt necessarily prohibit that, Burke said. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. 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." 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. But the college freshman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder for allegedly killing 40-year-old Jerry Smith, USA Today reports. If theres ever been a time for someone to be considered for bail, this is it.. It had to.. A suspended Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder was granted bond during a hearing Wednesday morning in Montgomery County General District Court in Christiansburg, Va., as reportedly sordid details emerged surrounding the case. His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.. A jury found Isimemen Etute not guilty of murder, though he confessed to violently beating Jerry Smith in an attack that left every bone in the victim's face broken. An autopsy report by the medical examiner showed nearly all the bones in Smith's face were broken, he suffered bleeding of the brain, and had teeth fragments missing. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', A judge also granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon. An autopsy revealed Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the head. Isimemen Etute celebrates in Montgomery County Circuit Court Friday, May 27, 2022 in Christiansburg Va. Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool, Illinois woman's remains found over 5 years after she disappeared. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! If that is true, that is very different from being surprised during the act and lashing out. 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. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. Etute practiced with the Hokies during spring camp after enrolling midyear from Cox High School in Virginia Beach. Isi is extremely grateful for the jurys hard work, deliberation, and verdict., Isi is now focused on picking up where he left off in his pursuit of a college degree and love for the game of football. We ended up presenting a defense which included, to a great extent, completely self-defense. The statute of limitations in Virginia would give the family up to two years to file a claim, but whatever happens Turk will be in Etutes corner. Etute admitted that Smith did not fight back and he heard a bubbly and gurgling noise while leaving the home. Watch Isi Etute's videos and highlights on Hudl. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. He is required to live with his family and wear an ankle monitor. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Who is Mohammed Nuru? Roanoke City Council member Joe Cobb, who identifies as a member of the regions LGBTQ community, hopes one of the steps Etute takes is advocating on behalf of gender and sexual minorities. The linebackers parents and sister attended Wednesdays hearing, as well as a dozen Virginia Tech football players, most of whom were wearing team gear, according to the report. The victim is Blacksburg resident Jerry Smith, 40. Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man A Virginia Tech football player has been arrested and charged with the murder of a Blacksburg resident, according to the Blacksburg Police Department and the university. Etute has three siblings including a younger sister, 15, with Down syndrome. tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', 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. Management Etute did testify one of his reasons for returning to Smiths apartment was that his close friends had been making jokes that the Angie Renee he had a sexual encounter with on April 10, could have been a dude.. Etute and Hampton, along with a third teammate, Jordan Brunson, decided to return to Smith's apartment to determine Smith's gender. He added that Smith had "demanded that it be dark" and had hidden a knife under his mattress "in case there was something awry.". Etute, who is charged with second-degree murder, was arrested on June 2. 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. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); aid: '724714', } Also firmly in Etutes corner were his attorney, Jimmy Turk, and Turks family. Etute, 18, will now be under house arrest and electronic monitoring at his parent's house in Virginia Beach, according to prosecutors. The jury deliberated for approximately . Etute then returned to the apartment on May 31 for another meet-up, at which point he discovered the person he had matched up with this time was male, according to Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan, citing details the now-suspended linebacker told cops. Former player. And trying to see what he can do to get re-enrolled in a university and hopefully being able to pursue his college football, which he loves so much.. The young man met Smith under the name Angie while on the Tinder dating app. Etute, a Virginia Tech freshman linebacker at the time of the incident in May 2021, had been charged with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of five to 40 years, and the jury could have convicted him on the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Isimemen David Etute, a freshman who was recruited to play linebacker at Virginia Tech, was hit with second-degree murder charges in the death of Jerry Paul Smith in May. Duncan acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, but in granting bail he said there was no evidence that Etute wouldnt appear for the trial or that he posed a danger to the community. Investigators ruled the death a homicide and identified Isimemen Etude as a person of interest. url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', Isi Etute. Etute said he punched Smith five times and kicked him to gain time to escape the apartment. A former Virginia Tech student and football player can now breathe the most enormous sigh of relief. Murder charge against suspended Hokie player Etute is elevated. Etute returned on May 31 and realized that Smith and Angie were the same person. Isimemen Etute, 18, Jerry Paul Smith, 40, (pictured right) Etute had previously been to Smith's residence on April 10 for oral sex under the impression that he was going to meet someone named Angie, attorneys for both the defense and prosecution told Judge Randal Duncan, according to the Roanoke Times. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., The Roanoke Times reported. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; There are different standards, and they can determine that this case violates federal law.. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. 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. In 2021, 18-year-old Isimemen Etute thought he met a 21-year-old woman named Angie Renee, posing as an emergency room physician, according toThe Roanoake Times. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. } However, this time he would be surprised to discover that Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith. Virginia Tech football player Isi Etute told police he punched victim after meeting for sexual encounter. Charges - Arrested A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. 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. A grand jury returned the . An autopsy report by the medical examiner showed nearly all the bones in Smith's face were broken, he suffered bleeding of the brain, and had teeth fragments missing. given the abuse/deception of which Etute was the victim. In the case of a felony arrest, the university has the authority to place a student on immediate interim suspension, Virginia Tech said in the statement. 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. According to the U.S. Justice Department, a federal hate crime is defined as an illegal, violent act is driven by bias against people of a certain group, which can be defined by race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, among other categories. Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. Prosecutors initially filed an expedited appeal that would have kept the 18-year-old from Virginia Beach in jail for up to five more days, but agreed to his release once the two sides settled on . A Virginia Tech football recruit is in jail facing murder charges for beating his Tinder date to death after learning he was a man and not the woman he met online. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. The Smith family quickly left the courthouse on Friday, and Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Patrick Jensen declined comment. cnx.cmd.push(function() { Contact Kristi Noem says she'd "nudge" GOP governors to do more to restrict abortion, Michael Cohen, Trump's former "fixer," meets with Manhattan investigators, Child remains found in Oklahoma amid search for missing 4-year-old, Suspects sought in "massacre" at California home that left 6 dead, Nobel Prize laureate journalist Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion, Another North Carolina power substation damaged by apparent gunfire, Tiger euthanized after escaping farm, attacking local man and animals, Man goes overboard, still missing after hooking "huge" tuna in Hawaii, Analysis: Former CIA officer Rolf Mowatt on Russia-Ukraine war, Polar bear kills woman and boy in remote Alaska village, Sister Andr, world's oldest known person, dies at 118, Teen boy, mother arrested in fatal Mall of America shooting, Police investigated Utah man for abuse before murder-suicide, Alabama withdraws from voter registration data sharing group, Man hospitalized after ingesting rat poison in Taco Bell burrito, Nonprofit helps fulfill wishes for wounded veterans, Prosecutors won't seek death penalty for alleged El Paso Walmart shooter, Comedian Leslie Jones to be the first guest host of The Daily Show on Tuesday, California faces dangerous mudslides after monster storms. The argument wasnt made by the attorneys on either side. } Etute was granted bond in a hearing Wednesday morning in Montgomery County General District Court, but Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Patrick Jensen filed an expedited appeal that would have kept Etute in jail for up to five more days. If this is true, it is clearly murder IMHO. Turk expanded on that point outside the courtroom. LA-based Host/Writer. The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The linebackers team profile was not active Thursday. Please answer some questions in this short survey about professional soccer and the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup. ]); 6:57 Regular season highlights . There was a problem saving your notification. Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. A bailiff was stationed behind Etute throughout the entire hearing, and Etute was handcuffed with his wrists attached to a chain around his waist. 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. Reaction continued to spread to the murder charge against former Hokie linebacker Isi Etute and to his attorney's saying that the victim was wrong to pose online as a woman. The former Virginia Tech football player accused of beating a Tinder date to death after mistaking him for a woman was acquitted of second-degree murder Friday. Teams. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. "They can be extremely useful, but they can be extremely dangerous. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', After the verdict, Etute's lawyer, James Turk, said his client deserved a second chance at a football career following the jury's decision. Security camera footage in the apartment showed all three players leaving quickly, with Etute having spent only three minutes inside Smith's apartment. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. 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. Etute was a three-star linebacker recruit from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach and signed his letter of intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech the next month. The Virginia Beach native, who was out on bond while awaiting trial, was facing a second-degree murder charge that carried a prison sentence of from five to 40 years upon conviction. Recently unsealed court documents indicate Isimemen Etute and three other Virginia Tech football players were under investigation for a possible hate crime in relation to Etute's murder charge. Hes going to get his life back, and Im hopeful, Turk said. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. Tyreses Daughter Shayla Gibson Is Now 14-Years-Old, Singer Is Sending Her Off To High School With A Brand New Rolls Royce, Power Was A Highly Successful Series That Led To Multiple Spin-Offs, However Omari Hardwick Claims He Didnt Make Much Money. Police discovered Smiths body in the apartment in the 100 block of Blacksburgs North Main Street on June 1. Ill be fully supportive of him. Jerry Paul Smith was allegedly beaten to death by Isimemen Etute. 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. The best insights from the ultimate insiders. Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. 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. - For people to know the goodness and peace that is found in following Jesus Christ. Two of the defendant's friends waited in the hallway of the apartment complex during the violent attack and the three left together. 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. Etute was ordered released on $75,000 secured bond under conditions of house arrest and electronic monitoring, the Roanoke Times reported, citing Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt. Etute said he went to Angies Blacksburg, Virginia apartment, where the pair engaged in oral sex for which his partner also paid Etute $50. 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. - For people to unapologetically and fearlessly walk in their purpose. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest. 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. Turk cited two cases in Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder charges were released on bail. Etute was charged with second-degree murder and held in at the Montgomery County Jail, police said. Isimemen took to Twitter to simply say, God is good. This was his first tweet in nearly one year. What followed was a host of sad events. The courtroom was packed as Judge Randal Duncan excluded cameras from the courtroom at the start of the proceeding. Turks response to Morgan outlining the circumstances of the case was to emphasize that the victim solicited Etute for sexual activity. }).render('94bb55df4cdf465b83a6067603cd42e5'); cnx({ (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. The Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal that . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Etute, according to court arguments, reportedly told police he had punched Smith five times in the face and stomped on him after discovering the person he thought was a woman was a man. Morgans arguments came after testimony from Etute and his mother Michelle. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. May 31, 2022. Etute testified that if he determined Smith was a woman, another sexual encounter might have occurred, but that if he determined Smith was a man, he planned to flee the apartment. Etute also told police that Smith did not assault him. 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. Etute told the police he punched the victim five times in the face and continued punching the victim when the person hit the ground and stomped on him. subcat: '', Everyone has a unique calling, special gifts, and amazing talent that NEEDS to be unleashed on the world. Isimemen Etute is 18 years old. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { The young athlete went to Smiths home on April 10 and received oral sex, according to the t attorney Jimmy Turk. At that time Etute discovered Smith was male, commonwealth attorneys told the court, and assaulted Smith. 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. Etute was in court Wednesday morning wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. Like seriously just be honest, there are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote. The commonwealths attorney wont get another shot at Etute, but Turk doesnt know the state of the federal governments investigation into the incident as a possible hate crime. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down. Relatives of Smith, meanwhile, reportedly declined to comment after the hearing. Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan argued against bail, and outlined new details about the case based on statements Etute gave to the police. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. I think it was the correct decision based on the evidence that was presented to the jury. The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Thats just wrong.. The case stems from a death that happened May 31. 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 affiliate WSET, and Smith is not listed on the Human Rights Campaign's compendium of transgender and non-conforming people killed in 2021 .) Sept. 23, 2021 Etute appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. "I think the school that ends up taking him is going to get probably a lot wiser and a much smarter and an exceptional athlete.". A jury on Friday acquitted a former Virginia Tech football player who had been accused of fatally beating a man he says he initially believed from a Tinder match to be a woman. In Fridays closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims of self-defense, according to the Times. "I think he's earned the right to go back to school and further his academic and sports career," Turk said. This photo provided by Blacksburg Police Dept., shows Isimemen Etute. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. Virginia Tech football player granted bond as details emerge in murder case. Burke, who was familiar with the Etute case through media coverage, said in many cases the federal government will take a wait and see approach when a defendant is facing charges at the state level. Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. Obviously, the jury did as well.. The suspended Virginia Tech football player is scheduled to stand trial in May. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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 . Etute -- a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside LB -- signed with Va. Tech after committing to the school in July 2020 . Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery. Plays Football. In April 2021, Etute matched with who he believed was a woman named "Angie" (whose legal name was Jerry Smith) on the dating app Tinder. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. 2022 The Associated Press. Along with teammate Da'Shawn Elder, Etute went to Smith's Blacksburg apartment on April 10 under the assumption that he was meeting a woman. I hope its not just about his ability to return to football, which I know is an important thing, but I hope it will include him learning and advocating to the LGBTQ community and deterring these sorts of incidents from ever happening again, Cobb said. Gay panic refers to claiming, in court, that the reaction to finding out someone elses sexual orientation or gender identity justifies violent acts. We are relieved and thankful that God has helped guide us through this extremely hard and punishing journey, the family said. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down Im truly sorry for my actions.. 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. He previously spent time with Angie and engaged in oral sex with them on April 10. Etute testified that if he determined Smith was a woman, another sexual encounter might have occurred, but that if he determined Smith was a man, he planned to flee the apartment. Required fields are marked *. 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. That investigation became public in March thanks to unsealed search warrants filed in June 2021 by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. Based on court records search, over the last nine years there have been at least three other second-degree murder cases in Montgomery County Court, and one of the defendants, Taylor Stevers, was granted bail as well. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. Under an agreement, Etute was allowed out on bond,. I started when I was 16 and I haven't looked back. 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. That means hes been found not guilty.. The then 18-year-old was accused of fatally beating Smith, an openly gay man who had posed as a woman on the dating app Tinder to initiate a sexual encounter. 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. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. 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.
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