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Smith eventually died from blunt force injuries to the head. subcat: '', Isi says this process gives him trust and faith again in life. targeting: { 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. Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. The suspect in the killing faces a prelimary hearing in Montgomery County September 23. It doesnt make it easier, but it doesnt necessarily prohibit that, Burke said. Former player. However, this time he would be surprised to discover that Angie Renee was really a 40-year-old man restaurant employee named Jerry Smith. The best insights from the ultimate insiders. 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. Etute was 18 years old at the time. This photo provided by Blacksburg Police Dept., shows Isimemen Etute. On Wednesday, Etute was charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY Sports. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. The attackers in that case were identified, but never charged. 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. While that scenario might prove unlikely, Turk is hopeful there are colleges out there that will give Etute a chance. ABOUT 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." The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. 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. 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. The suspended Virginia Tech football player is scheduled to stand trial in May. Hes focusing now, I think, on trying to get his life back together, Turk continued. Etute -- a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside LB -- signed with Va. Tech after committing to the school in July 2020 . They would reportedly meet on April 10th, when the 18-year-old male received an act of pleasure from his Tinder date at the latters apartment. 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. Stand Out. According toThe Roanoke Times, attorney Jimmy Turk argued that Etute was the real victim.. 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. The jury deliberated for approximately . You can cancel at any time. {{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 arrested and charged with second-degree murder June 2, 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. On May 31, another Virginia Tech player, Jalen Hampton, also connected with "Angie Renee" on Tinder. Gay panic refers to claiming, in court, that the reaction to finding out someone elses sexual orientation or gender identity justifies violent acts. Isi Etute. tude.cmd.push(function() { Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. 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. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. On May 31, another Virginia Tech player, Jalen Hampton, also connected with "Angie Renee" on Tinder. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. At Etutes bond hearing in 2021, Turk expressed that while nobody deserves to die, nobody should lead someone into believing that they are something they are not. Turk also emotionally pleaded for Etute to be released on bail. Atutee has been charged and is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported. 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. Stevers was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her estranged husband back in 2017. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. cnx.cmd.push(function() { Please subscribe to keep reading. Etute, 18, will now be under house arrest and electronic monitoring at his parent's house in Virginia Beach, according to prosecutors. The freshman enrolled at Virginia Tech at midyear and went through spring camp with the football team. 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. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? 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. An autopsy revealed Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the head. The verdict elicited a mix of reactions from those in the courtrooms gallery, including Etute's father, who collapsed near his sobbing wife. 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. Thats just wrong.. Multiple Virginia Tech spokespersons declined comment Saturday about the verdict. Registry of Corporate Directors. In his testimony Thursday, Etute had testified that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a gun. } 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. Etute was charged with second-degree murder and held in at the Montgomery County Jail, police said. Etute was acquitted Friday evening of second-degree murder in the killing of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, a Blacksburg restaurant worker. 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. Etutes parents declined to comment after the hearing. The Times also reports that his parents broke down in tears following the verdict while his father "collapsed." "I'm certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did . Isimene Atute, a Virginia Tech football player was indicted Wednesday for murder. Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in Blacksburg. 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. 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. 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. The two sides later Wednesday came to an agreement to release Etute on a $75,000 secured bond under house arrest and electronic monitoring, according to a release put out by Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt. targeting: { The suspended Hokie football player is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. Ismemen David Etute, 18, told cops he went to the Blacksburg apartment of 40-year-old Jerry Smith in April for oral sex after matching up with someone named Angie on Tinder, the Roanoke Times reported. 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." Another match, according to court arguments, was to take place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity. You have permission to edit this article. Etute was arrested June 2, 2021, and charged with the May 31 murder of Jerry Smith, a local Blacksburg man who had posed as a woman online to meet straight, college-aged men. Smiths family was in attendance. The college student had no prior criminal history. 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 . (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times . Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. He argued that after Etute punched Smith and Smith fell to the floor, there was "no way" Smith could have reached a weapon under his mattress. 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.". 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. 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. Virginia Tech football player Isi Etute told police he punched victim after meeting for sexual encounter. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters. Im truly sorry for my actions.. Thats just wrong.. According to CBS News, Smiths family promptly exited the room. Etute said he went to Angies Blacksburg, Virginia apartment, where the pair engaged in oral sex for which his partner also paid Etute $50. This article was published more than1 year ago. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', He had just signed his letter of intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech in January. Virginia Tech revealed that the teen was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the football team. 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. I think it was the correct decision based on the evidence that was presented to the jury. 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. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on $75,000 secured bond per Judge Randal Duncans ruling and placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring, Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt said in a release. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute has been acquitted of a murder which occurred during a Tinder date. A medical examiner ruled Smiths cause of death as a blunt force to the head. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', subcat: '', A Virginia Tech spokesperson says Etute is the only football player who has been suspended from the team. Like seriously just be honest, there are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote. 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 began to punch Smith repeatedly and stomped on him, Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt said, as noted by WSLS. Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Isi Etute; Add Athlete Photo. B.E. Jerry Paul Smith was allegedly beaten to death by Isimemen Etute. 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. 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. Upon the prodding of friends who suspected Angie was a man, Etute returned to the apartment on May 31, 2021. This also trickled down into the young football star being suspended from both the Virginia Tech Hokies team and the university. Management This wasn't a first-time meeting. Former Virginia Tech linebacker Isimemen Etute will get a chance to play football this season following his acquittal on a second-degree murde. Varsity Football (2021) Varsity Football (2018) Varsity Football . 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. 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 . "They can be extremely useful, but they can be extremely dangerous. He was the number 36 prospect in Virginia and 45 inside linebacker in the country, according to 247sports. This is me Follow. He compared Etute, an "elite college athlete," to Smith, who weighed 153 pounds (just under 70 kilograms). divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 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.. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. ]); 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. Privacy Policy Etute was suspended indefinitely from Virginia Tech when he was charged last year and is no longer enrolled at the school. 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 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. aid: '724714', Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. The linebackers team profile was not active Thursday. 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 . First published on May 28, 2022 / 10:23 AM. 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. 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