Prosecutors stated the investigation was ongoing when they asked a U.S. magistrate judge to keep the documents under seal for 90 days on multiple occasions. Jensen had maintained that Etute had not acted in self-defense. Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. "He has a tremendous amount riding on this trial," Jensen had said during his closing argument hours earlier Friday, The Roanoke Times reported. The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. Virginia Tech Signing Day capsule 2021: Isi Etute. Etute also told police that Smith did not assault him. Another match, according to court arguments, was to take place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery. Etute was 18 years old at the time. The jury deliberated for approximately . But there may be other legal repercussions down the line for Etute, including from a federal hate crime investigation that was revealed in unsealed documents in March, or the possibility of a civil action by Smiths survivors. 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. During testimony Thursday, Etute said he entered Smith's apartment alone -- both teammates waited outside and were not charged with a crime -- and engaged with Smith on a bed. 2022 The Associated Press. An autopsy revealed Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the head. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. tude.cmd.push(function() { I dont mind telling you that Im so fond of that young man, he who has been and who he is. ]); Varsity Football (2021) Varsity Football (2018) Varsity Football . Etute was born in 2003, considering he is only 18 years old. targeting: { The suspended Hokie football player is accused of killing Jerry Paul 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. 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. A grand jury returned the . Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. 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. 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. Do I? Two Virginia Tech football players and family hug after the Isimemen Etute hearing in Christiansburg Wednesday. 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. The story received widespread attention when the news first broke of the incident in 2021. Isimemen Etute had the most horrific year of his life after connecting with whom he believed to be a woman on the dating app Tinder in April of 2021. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. You have permission to edit this article. Under an agreement, Etute was allowed out on bond,. Video via WSLS 10. Teams. Smith eventually died from blunt force injuries to the head. The former football player confessed his feelings of letting people down and said he was truly sorry for his actions. Etute also had no priors at the time compared to Jerry Smiths many previous offenses including including filing a false police report, public intoxication, driving under the influence, and reckless driving among others. Be proud of who you are. 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. Etute, a Virginia Tech freshman linebacker charged with second-degree murder, fatally beat his victim after discovering that . Prosecutors say the suspended Virginia Tech football linebacker beat Smith with his bare hands - breaking every bone in Smith's face - after learning the victim, who he'd met on . Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. } That is willing to work a lot harder than he did before and hopefully hell have the opportunity to get back what his dream has always been.. 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. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. 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. The sexual encounter reportedly occurred on April 10, 2021, in Smith's apartment. The two engaged in sexual activity with Etute not aware of Smiths sexual identity. Thats just wrong.. He referenced a 2002 case Jawad v. Commonwealth, and a local case involving Mark Ward Faville from 2015. ]); 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. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. 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. Virginia Tech football player granted bond as details emerge in murder case. 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. In Fridays closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims of self-defense, according to the Times. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., The Roanoke Times reported. Last week, Etutes attorney had filed a motion to use a gay and trans panic defense, a legal strategy that aims to get defendants more lenient sentences by claiming their violent actions were an uncontrollable response to learning a victims sexual orientation or gender identity. He previously spent time with Angie and engaged in oral sex with them on April 10. Judge Mike Fleenor, however, officially excluded the defense, which was banned in Virginia after Smith died. {{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. 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. 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. The judge in Etute's case ruled that the new legislation did not apply to this case, as it was enacted after the incident took place, though Turk argued it likely would not have altered the outcome of the trial. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Atutee has been charged and is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? 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. Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. He compared Etute, an "elite college athlete," to Smith, who weighed 153 pounds (just under 70 kilograms). The Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal that . The suspect in the killing faces a prelimary hearing in Montgomery County September 23. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. Thats just wrong.. Virginia Tech revealed that the teen was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the football team. The questions Turk had for Isi Etute were of a similar nature. Like seriously just be honest, there are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote. Former player. 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. Upon the prodding of friends who suspected Angie was a man, Etute returned to the apartment on May 31, 2021. The Blacksburg (Va.) Police Department responded to a welfare check Monday night where officers discovered a deceased male victim, according to the citys website. } 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 . 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. 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. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. More info: Cox High School - Boys Varsity Football / OLB, WR / Class of 2021 / Virginia Beach, VA The Smith family quickly left the courthouse on Friday, and Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Patrick Jensen declined comment. Isimemen Etute was later charged for the incident. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Quite frankly, I dont think it was applicable anyway, under the facts of the case, Turk told Oxygen.com. Former player 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 collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. 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. He was suspended from the squad last week. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Isimemen Etute was granted bond Wednesday on the charge of second-degree murder in the Montgomery County General District Court. According to the Roanoke Times, Fleenor stated it would have been applicable, but this [ruling] is purely procedural.. A judge also granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon. cat: 'news', (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The attackers in that case were identified, but never charged. Etute, 18, will now be under house arrest and electronic monitoring at his parent's house in Virginia Beach, according to prosecutors. Be honest with who you are. Morgans arguments came after testimony from Etute and his mother Michelle. About env: 'prod', The Etute . 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. cat: 'news', Etute left the apartment without calling police, according to court arguments, and Smith was found unresponsive two days later during a welfare check in the apartment located in the 100 block of North Main Street in Blacksburg. Etute has three siblings including a younger sister, 15, with Down syndrome. The freshman enrolled at Virginia Tech at midyear and went through spring camp with the football team. Subscribe to Newsletter The best insights from the ultimate insiders. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', ABOUT Turk got emotional arguing on Etutes behalf during the hearing, and fought to fight back tears during his closing argument, and again outside the courtroom. Details were also revealed that Jerry Smith harbored a weapon hidden between his mattress and box spring. We ended up presenting a defense which included, to a great extent, completely self-defense. Today, Isimemen David Etute was indicted by a grand jury on one count of Second-Degree murder. Black Men XCEL Thats a real problem for men in our society. 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Hes focusing now, I think, on trying to get his life back together, Turk continued. 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. 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. 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. 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The college student had no prior criminal history. If that is true, that is very different from being surprised during the act and lashing out. cat: 'news', 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. 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. Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. Virginia Tech freshman football player Isimemen Etute was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Wednesday in connection with the death of a Blacksburg resident, according to a. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. 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. - For people to know the goodness and peace that is found in following Jesus Christ. All of the bones in his face were broken and his teeth were also missing, the Roanoke Times reported. A bailiff was stationed behind Etute throughout the entire hearing, and Etute was handcuffed with his wrists attached to a chain around his waist. Please subscribe to keep reading. Someone is waiting for you. You have permission to edit this article. Privacy Policy (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters outside the courtroom. Family handout Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported.. I felt violated, Etute testified. Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan argued against bail, and outlined new details about the case based on statements Etute gave to the police. With Isimemen Etutes fate held in the balance by a Virginia judge and jury, the young man began to feel support from family, friends, and former teammates. May 27, 2022, 4:39 PM 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. BE 100s 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. Etute, with her voice barely above a whisper, said there is someone at home pretty much around the clock at the household with his sister requiring extra care. 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. Watch Isi Etute's videos and highlights on Hudl. Police discovered Smiths body in the apartment in the 100 block of Blacksburgs North Main Street on June 1. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. This also trickled down into the young football star being suspended from both the Virginia Tech Hokies team and the university. 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. Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on $75,000 secured bond per Judge Randal Duncan's ruling and placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring, Commonwealth's Attorney Mary Pettitt said in. 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. Etute began to punch Smith repeatedly and stomped on him, Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt said, as noted by WSLS. Circuit Judge Mike Fleenor didnt preclude the gay panic defense that was the subject of a law passed by the General Assembly last year on a procedural basis. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 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. }).render('3811c1c9bba941ecb6c4a456cf0ac0f7'); 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. At his bond hearing on June 9, the judge granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was quickly dropped. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Upon confronting Smith, Etute testified that Smith grabbed at Etute's genitals, causing Etute to strike Smith in the face with the back of his hand. Contact 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. 6:57 Regular season highlights . Etutes attorneys argued the beating was self-defense during a confrontation last year in which the mans true identity was revealed and Etute perceived that Smith was reaching for a weapon. Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. 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. Everyone has a unique calling, special gifts, and amazing talent that NEEDS to be unleashed on the world. There was a problem saving your notification. The argument wasnt made by the attorneys on either side. The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, claiming he acted in self-defense. 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. A judge granted a bond to Etute under a new agreement on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. May 31, 2022. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. Multiple Virginia Tech spokespersons declined comment Saturday about the verdict. Police said the investigation has revealed Smith and Etute were acquaintances. 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. Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. However, a follow-up encounter with the two ended with a fatal tragedy. Turk ended his arguments in tears, calling Etute "one of the finest young men I've ever had the experience of meeting" and noting that the entire situation came about only because of Smith's "deliberate, wicked sexual ruse.". 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. At the time, Etute was a freshman at Virginia Tech, where he also played football as their linebacker. 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. 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. I never tricked a man and never will its just wrong and disrespectful TO YOURSELF ASWELL !! I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. aid: '724714', While Cobb understands there were a lot of variables to this case, he still believes that discrimination was at the heart of the issue, whether Etute knew it or not. Smiths family was in attendance. I think it was the correct decision based on the evidence that was presented to the jury. But the college freshman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder for.

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