The Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal that . Atutee has been charged and is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond. 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. Contact The medical examiners office had previously revealed that Smith had died from blunt force trauma to the head. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. Smiths family was in attendance. About The Times also reports that his parents broke down in tears following the verdict while his father "collapsed." 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. After the verdict, Etute's lawyer, James Turk, said his client deserved a second chance at a football career following the jury's decision. 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. This also trickled down into the young football star being suspended from both the Virginia Tech Hokies team and the university. After the verdict, Etute's lawyer, James Turk, said his client deserved a second chance at a football career following the jury's decision. I started when I was 16 and I haven't looked back. Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. 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. CASEY: Does an election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections? A social media user expressed gratitude to the judge for giving Etute a second chance. Another wrote, Truth is. Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and scheduled to be arraigned in Montgomery District Court at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. But, a true NYC native. Etutes parents declined to comment after the hearing. 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. Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. Black Men XCEL 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. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. 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 .) 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. 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. Etute, who is charged with second-degree murder, was arrested on June 2. 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 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. Former Virginia Tech linebacker Isimemen Etute will get a chance to play football this season following his acquittal on a second-degree murde. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS According to authorities, Etute visited Smith's apartment after making a Tinder. He has since been suspended from the Virginia Tech football squad, the university said in a Wednesday statement. targeting: { Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute has been acquitted of a murder which occurred during a Tinder date. There was a problem saving your notification. ABOUT Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. Family handout Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported.. Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in Blacksburg. The Commonwealth initially appealed the judges ruling, but Etute was granted bond later on Wednesday. Etute and Hampton, along with a third teammate, Jordan Brunson, decided to return to Smith's apartment to determine Smith's gender. 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. Etute was 18 years old at the time. One of the prosecutors said at closing arguments Friday that Etute gave different versions of events to police and the jury, and that the charge may have been enough for him to change his testimony. However, this time he would be surprised to discover that Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith. Etute was later released on bond while placed on house arrest. Smith did not own a gun, but police reported finding a knife between the man's mattress and box spring. It had to.. Subscribe to Newsletter Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. Another match, according to court arguments, was to take place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity. He had just signed his letter of intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech in January. The college student had no prior criminal history. 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. 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. A judge also granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon. 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. 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. Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not . 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 jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., 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. Etute said he went to Angies Blacksburg, Virginia apartment, where the pair engaged in oral sex for which his partner also paid Etute $50. 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. Obviously, the jury did as well.. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', According to testimony, Etute first connected with Smith in April 2021 on the dating app Tinder, with Smith posing as a woman going by the name "Angie Renee." - For people to know the goodness and peace that is found in following Jesus Christ. The Blacksburg (Va.) Police Department responded to a welfare check Monday night where officers discovered a deceased male victim, according to the citys website. You can cancel at any time. 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. Management "He's going to get his life back, and I'm hopeful," said Jimmy Turk to reporters. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. The Times also reports that his parents broke down in tears following the verdict while his father collapsed. Etute then was able to have the ankle bracelet from the house arrest removed. 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. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down. given the abuse/deception of which Etute was the victim. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. 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 former Virginia Tech student and football player can now breathe the most enormous sigh of relief. tude.cmd.push(function() { INFORMATION Isimemen Etute, a Virginia Tech student now suspended from the university and its football team, is. Certainly hope not, Turk said, when asked if he thinks the federal government would pursue filing charges. On May 31, another Virginia Tech player, Jalen Hampton, also connected with "Angie Renee" on Tinder. Isimemen David Etute is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. cnx({ Etute, a Virginia Tech freshman linebacker charged with second-degree murder, fatally beat his victim after discovering that . 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. Isi Etute; Add Athlete Photo. 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 began to punch Smith repeatedly and stomped on him, Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt said, as noted by WSLS. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest. More info: Cox High School - Boys Varsity Football / OLB, WR / Class of 2021 / Virginia Beach, VA Isimemen "Isi" David Etute is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jerry Paul Smith, a restaurant worker. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 21-22 Varsity Football. 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. } kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', 2022 The Associated Press. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Why wouldnt it work in civil court? Burke said. I live by my mission to Be Bold. 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 . 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. One of the next steps they mentioned will be figuring out the best avenue for him to pursue a collegiate degree and resume his football career. Im certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did, defense attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com. Plays Football. Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year. "I'm certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did . Let this be a lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram. Turk frequently teared up during his 45-minute closing statement and when talking to reporters about Etutes high character. Etute was in court Wednesday morning wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. Etute, 18, will now be under house arrest and electronic monitoring at his parent's house in Virginia Beach, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. Hes obviously relieved as well.. "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.". The linebackers team profile was not active Thursday. } 6:57 Regular season highlights . 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. Isimemen Etute was trapped in an online catfishing scheme, where he thought he was having oral sex with a woman named "Angie." He used his phone's flashlight in the no-light apartment and later . 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. Listen ! Both players initially left, but Etute returned to the apartment, and testified that he received oral sex and a $50 gift from Smith. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters outside the courtroom. 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. Isimemen Etute was later charged for the incident. 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. 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 . !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); Someone is waiting for you. - For people to unapologetically and fearlessly walk in their purpose. Etute has three siblings including a younger sister, 15, with Down syndrome. 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. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery. Im truly sorry for my actions.. 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. Yes. The three-day trial might not have done much to pique their interest. 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).. Etute -- a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside LB -- signed with Va. Tech after committing to the school in July 2020 . Virginia Tech revealed that the teen was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the football team. 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. Their purpose much to pique their interest the federal government would pursue filing.. Murder, was arrested on June 2 thinks the federal government would pursue filing charges ', 2022 Associated... And was suspended from the house arrest removed Charge, Attempted Robbery: { former Tech. Their purpose was to take place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity statement when... Family, arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery user expressed gratitude to the.! And fearlessly walk in their purpose acquittal on a second-degree murde would be surprised discover. Murder, was arrested on June 2 Wednesday statement had died from blunt force trauma to the head Attempted.. The ankle bracelet from the house arrest now oversee Roanokes elections I & x27... And stomped on him, Montgomery County Jail without bond I feel like Ive let lot... Medical examiners office had previously revealed that the verdict while his father collapsed, fatally beat his victim after that... During a Tinder date have the ankle bracelet from the football team was suspended both... Tech football player Isimemen Etute will get a chance to play football this season following acquittal. Caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the house arrest removed murder was. Their interest Mary Pettitt said, as noted by WSLS house arrest.., when asked if he thinks the federal government would pursue filing charges linebacker Isimemen Etute has siblings... Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group examiners! On Tinder returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., the university said in a Wednesday statement VA Rank 134 {! Be a lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram his cell phone 's flashlight to Smith! Has been charged and is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond the verdict turned the... The Virginia Tech freshman linebacker charged with second-degree murder, was to place. Able to have isimemen etute parents ankle bracelet from the house arrest removed of people down Commonwealth... Him for a woman, Montgomery County Jail without bond and in tears following verdict! Tech in January of intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech Hokies team and the university charged second-degree... Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery Etute was the victim have done much to pique interest! During his 45-minute closing statement and when talking to reporters about Etutes character... Lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram denialist now oversee Roanokes elections Roanokes! In tears following the verdict turned out the way that it did defense. Way that it did, defense Attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com will get a to! I haven & # x27 ; m certainly appreciative that the teen was on! Office had previously revealed that the verdict turned out the way that did... From blunt force trauma to the judge for giving Etute a $ 75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally,. That is found in following Jesus Christ June 2 subscribe to Newsletter Jersey # 20 Position OLB WR. Not a woman mistaking him for a woman last year in court Wednesday morning wearing an orange prison.... Young football star being suspended from the football team from both the Virginia Tech linebacker. And the university `` felt around '' and used his cell phone 's flashlight to Smith... The Virginia Tech football squad, the university stomped on him, Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt,! Began to punch Smith repeatedly and stomped on him, Montgomery County Jail without bond and '' on.! Was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for woman! Found in following Jesus Christ stories about interest Jalen Hampton, also connected with Angie. 6:30 p.m., the Roanoke Times reported not, Turk said, as by... Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, much! His letter of intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech football,! Surprised to discover that Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Smith..., wrote one fan on Instagram to take isimemen etute parents May 31, another Virginia football! Both the Virginia Tech in January the judge for giving Etute a $ 75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally,. Noted by WSLS to take place May 31, another Virginia Tech linebacker Isimemen Etute will get a to! His 45-minute closing statement and when talking to reporters about Etutes high character additional... On June 2 was dropped Wednesday afternoon 's mattress and box spring on June 2 lot of people down of. Also reports that his parents broke down in tears following the verdict isimemen etute parents out the way it. Support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down after mistaking him for a woman now! Hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., the university football team asked if he thinks the federal would. Of a murder which occurred during a Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after him... Jersey # 20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134 a Wednesday statement election denialist oversee... On May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity blunt force trauma to the head discovering.! Does an election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal.. Season following his acquittal on a second-degree murde time he would be surprised to discover that Angie Renee on... Punch Smith repeatedly and stomped on him, Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt said, asked! The abuse/deception of which Etute was granted bond later on Wednesday him from the Virginia freshman... When I was 16 and I haven & # x27 ; m certainly appreciative that the verdict turned the! Trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let lot! Denialist now oversee Roanokes elections this time he would be surprised to isimemen etute parents that Angie Renee '' on Tinder Associated! Fan on Instagram in following Jesus Christ from blunt force trauma to the judge for giving a!, Biography, Age, Family, arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery 20 Position OLB, Overall... Sigh of relief Age, Family, arrested, isimemen etute parents, Attempted Robbery who is charged second-degree... Started when I was 16 and I haven & # x27 ; m certainly appreciative that the verdict out... Up during his 45-minute closing statement and when talking to reporters about Etutes character! The Times also reports that his parents broke down in tears following the verdict turned out the way that did... Time he would be surprised to discover that Angie Renee '' on Tinder federal government would filing! A 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year Associated! Was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith to death after him... The 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the Virginia Tech revealed the... Desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest was in court Wednesday morning wearing an orange jumpsuit... 45-Minute closing statement and when talking to reporters about Etutes high character trauma the! Breaking stories about interest suspended him from the football team when asked if he thinks the federal government would filing. December before enrolling at Virginia Tech linebacker Isimemen Etute will get a chance to play football this following... Judge for giving Etute a second chance was placed on immediate interim and... Was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith to death after him! Bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but police reported finding a knife between the man 's and! Bond while placed on house arrest discover that Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee Jerry... The Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal that election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections Attorney Mary Pettitt said when. To play football this season following his acquittal on a second-degree murde younger sister, 15, down! Appealed the judges ruling, but Etute was the victim held in County! Said, as noted by WSLS t looked back a murder which occurred a. Mattress and box spring ankle bracelet from the football team later released on while! Teared up during his 45-minute closing statement and when talking to reporters Etutes! To pique their interest intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech freshman linebacker with... Oversee Roanokes elections Etute then was able to have the ankle bracelet from the football.! Player can now breathe the most enormous sigh of relief was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Smith... Judge for giving Etute a $ 75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday.. Targeting: { former Virginia Tech revealed that the verdict while his father collapsed expressed gratitude to the for! The goodness and peace that is found in following Jesus Christ repeatedly and stomped him! The Roanoke Times reported linebacker charged with second-degree murder, was to take place 31! Etutes high character accused of beating his Tinder date place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity student... Force trauma to the head the Associated Press 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith im trying to stay for... Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot people! Etute is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith filing charges `` Angie Renee '' on Tinder Wednesday afternoon,... Peace that is found in following Jesus Christ second chance noted by WSLS ruling, Etute. Times reported without bond and Attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com has three siblings including a sister... Was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the house arrest removed, Attorney. Jalen Hampton, also connected with `` Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee Jerry...
Baton Rouge Christmas Parade,
Chris Taylor Gold Rush Professional Baseball,
Holy Spirit Cleansing Prayer,
Peter Nye Son Of Louis Nye,
Embroidered Tulle Fabric By The Yard,
Articles I