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. Investigators ruled the death a homicide and identified Isimemen Etude as a person of interest. 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. "He's going to get his life back, and I'm hopeful," said Jimmy Turk to reporters. 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. 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. A freshman Virginia Tech linebacker charged with murder told police he fatally beat a man breaking every bone in his face for catfishing him on Tinder, prosecutors said. Etute has three siblings including a younger sister, 15, with Down syndrome. Isimemen Etute was granted bond Wednesday on the charge of second-degree murder in the Montgomery County General District Court. Former Virginia Tech football player Isememen David Etute has been indicted for murdering a man who was acting as a female on the dating app Tinder. "He has a tremendous amount riding on this trial," Jensen had said during his closing argument hours earlier Friday, The Roanoke Times reported. 21-22 Varsity Football. Etute, who is charged in the death of 40-year-old Jerry Smith, was set to be released to live with his family. Etute attended middle school at TS Great Neck Middle School in Virginia Bech. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. More than a dozen football players most of them clad in Virginia Tech gear were there in support of Etute. Black Men XCEL Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters outside the courtroom. This wasn't a first-time meeting. Former Virginia Tech players Jalen Hampton and Jordan Brunson, who were called as witnesses in Etutes defense, were interviewed by federal authorities in September. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery. 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. Etute testified that he stomped on Smith's face as he departed the apartment, leaving a bloody shoe print on Smith's cheek in the process. Etute and Hampton, along with a third teammate, Jordan Brunson, decided to return to Smith's apartment to determine Smith's gender. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Family handout Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported.. He was recruited to the school as a three-star linebacker from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach. Turk was aware of the federal investigation early on. Like seriously just be honest, there are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote. At one point during Wednesdays bond hearing, Turk reportedly asked Etute clad in an orange prison jumpsuit how he had been impacted by the charges. playerId: 'be5717b5-2a7b-4fde-8c19-21cbbff0cd95' 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Fleenor would have read an instruction to the jury precluding the defense had the law been in place on May 31 when the crime was committed, but the instruction wouldnt have mentioned gender identity or sexual orientation as agreed to by the prosecution. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. - New details came out in court on Wednesday in the case of a suspended Virginia Tech football player accused of murdering a Blacksburg man.. On June 1, Isimemen Etute was . Turk also argued that police didn't ask Etute essential questions about Smith's knife or Etute's fear while in the apartment, two questions whose answers could have shown whether Etute was afraid for his life and acting in self-defense. 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. cnx({ 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. BE 100s 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. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Police said the investigation has revealed Smith and Etute were acquaintances. The Blacksburg (Va.) Police Department responded to a welfare check Monday night where officers discovered a deceased male victim, according to the citys website. Etute was later released on bond while placed on house arrest. Sept. 23, 2021 Etute appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. 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. 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. 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. Etute was charged with second-degree murder and held in at the Montgomery County Jail, police said. 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. CHRISTIANSBURG Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty Friday in the beating death of Jerry Paul Smith foll. Stand Out. You have permission to edit this article. 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. If you find this was in the heat of passion, you shouldnt find him guilty of second-degree murder; the crime would be voluntary manslaughter," said Jensen. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; He was the number 36 prospect in Virginia and 45 inside linebacker in the country, according to 247sports. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. An autopsy revealed Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the head. INFORMATION Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. Etute attended middle, Rapper Gangsta Boo Laid To Rest, Brother Released From Hospital, 90s R&B Singer Jaguar Wright Taken Into Custody Days After Calling Out Jay-Z, Boosie Badazz Daughter Shows Off Her New Girlfriend, Now The Rapper Is Being Dragged Across Twitter, Malcolm Jamal Warner Reveals He Makes Pennies From Cosby Show Residuals, Cost More To Send Check Out, Jason Lee Drops First Interview On New Show, Reveals He Was Once Smacked By Rihanna. Be honest with who you are. You can cancel at any time. Teams. His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.. 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 . 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. 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. A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. Etutes parents and sister attended the hearing in a packed courtroom that also included members of the Hokies football team, according to reports. Turk later addressed reporters outside of court. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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.. targeting: { Cobb said he was heartbroken that Fridays verdict left him with a similar empty feeling. 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. ABOUT 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. CASEY: Does an election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections? 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 .) May 31, 2022. ]); }); EVENTS - For people to unapologetically and fearlessly walk in their purpose. She was eventually acquitted in 2018 on charges of voluntary manslaughter. pos: 'right_rail_1', Van and Rachel are joined by James Turk, the defense attorney representing Isimemen Etute, who was found not guilty in the beating death of a man he initially believed to be a woman (8:23).. pos: 'right_rail_2', "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.". url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', Real hard, Etute said. env: 'prod', If this is true, it is clearly murder IMHO. The college student had no prior criminal history. Hes obviously relieved as well.. The jury deliberated for approximately . The Roanoke Times have made multiple attempts to contact both parties. However, this time he would be surprised to discover that Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith. In his testimony Thursday, Etute had testified that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a gun. If that is true, that is very different from being surprised during the act and lashing out. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, College Football Playoff may finally expand, Giants fans know how to handle this playoff test, Close-knit Giants have so many reasons to believe: 'Feel the love, The WWE sale circus is only just beginning, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Wife of 'Boy Meets World' star William Daniels details 'painful' 'open marriage', I went to McDonalds drive-thru for lunch but left with bags of cash instead. Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. 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. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times . The young athlete went to Smiths home on April 10 and received oral sex, according to the t attorney Jimmy Turk. Subscribe to Newsletter We are relieved and thankful that God has helped guide us through this extremely hard and punishing journey, the family said. The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? I dont mind telling you that Im so fond of that young man, he who has been and who he is. Thats a real problem for men in our society. There was a problem saving your notification. Listen ! He is required to live with his family and wear an ankle monitor. But the college freshman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder for. 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. 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. Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. } tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Judge Mike Fleenor, however, officially excluded the defense, which was banned in Virginia after Smith died. Morgans arguments came after testimony from Etute and his mother Michelle. 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. 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. 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. Immediately after the verdict was announced, Smith's family quickly left the courtroom. Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. Jensen recalled the testimony of medical examiner Dr. Amy Tharp, who Jensen said testified Smith had been the victim of a "brutal beating.". Two of the defendant's friends waited in the hallway of the apartment complex during the violent attack and the three left together. LA-based Host/Writer. Montgomery County General District Court Judge Randal Duncan set a secured bond of $75,000 for Isimemen Etute, 18, of Virginia Beach, but he will remain in jail after prosecutors filed an expedited appeal, news outlets reported. according to 247sports. Thats just wrong.. 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. Etute returned on May 31 and realized that Smith and Angie were the same person. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The suspended Hokie football player is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. Gay panic refers to claiming, in court, that the reaction to finding out someone elses sexual orientation or gender identity justifies violent acts. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Watch Isi Etute's videos and highlights on Hudl. Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. Some have suggested Etute suspected Smith was a dude and went there intending to confront him and potentially retaliate. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Isimemen Etute was later charged for the incident. At his bond hearing on June 9, the judge granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was quickly dropped. Thats just wrong.. He compared Etute, an "elite college athlete," to Smith, who weighed 153 pounds (just under 70 kilograms). 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. Two Virginia Tech football players and family hug after the Isimemen Etute hearing in Christiansburg Wednesday. Duncans decision isnt without precedent. If theres ever been a time for someone to be considered for bail, this is it.. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Virginia Tech revealed that the teen was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the football team. The case stems from a death that happened May 31. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. 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, 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. 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. The death of Jerry Paul Smith foll, he who has been and who he is, sept.,! On April 10 and received oral isimemen etute parents, according to reports Friday in the hallway of Hokies. And realized that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a gun was eventually acquitted 2018! Feeling uncomfortable your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV you that Im so fond of young. 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