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. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters. The Roanoke Times have made multiple attempts to contact both parties. The victim is Blacksburg resident Jerry Smith, 40. The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. 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. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. "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.". 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. 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 .) Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. A judge granted a bond to Etute under a new agreement on Wednesday, June 9, 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. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute has been acquitted of a murder which occurred during a Tinder date. A former Virginia Tech student and football player can now breathe the most enormous sigh of relief. 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. According to authorities, Etute visited Smith's apartment after making a Tinder. 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. There are different standards, and they can determine that this case violates federal law.. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. 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. Registry of Corporate Directors. Etute said he punched Smith five times and kicked him to gain time to escape the apartment. 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 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. according to 247sports. I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. According toThe Roanoke Times, attorney Jimmy Turk argued that Etute was the real victim.. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. page_type: 'article', Former player. 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. Cobb said he was heartbroken that Fridays verdict left him with a similar empty feeling. Isi says this process gives him trust and faith again in life. } Etute, who is charged in the death of 40-year-old Jerry Smith, was set to be released to live with his family. Im truly sorry for my actions.. 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. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. According to the Roanoke Times, Fleenor stated it would have been applicable, but this [ruling] is purely procedural.. cat: 'news', Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. 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 . What followed was a host of sad events. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. 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. Subscribe to Newsletter 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. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. cnx({ He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. Etute, a Virginia Tech freshman linebacker charged with second-degree murder, fatally beat his victim after discovering that . Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. - For people to unapologetically and fearlessly walk in their purpose. cat: 'news', Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. 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. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. Atutee has been charged and is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. playerId: 'be5717b5-2a7b-4fde-8c19-21cbbff0cd95' Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on a $75,000 bond. The story received widespread attention when the news first broke of the incident in 2021. Former Virginia Tech players Jalen Hampton and Jordan Brunson, who were called as witnesses in Etutes defense, were interviewed by federal authorities in September. TheNew York Postoffered an account given by Isimemen Etute to authorities through Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan. Etute has been charged with second-degree murder. Etute admitted that Smith did not fight back and he heard a bubbly and gurgling noise while leaving the home. Two Virginia Tech football players and family hug after the Isimemen Etute hearing in Christiansburg Wednesday. Etute said, at that point, he feared Smith was going for a weapon, a notion Etute failed to mention in his initial 2021 interview with police, according to the Times. Isi Etute; Add Athlete Photo. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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).. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. The order restricts Etute from returning to Montgomery County except to consult with his attorney or to attend court proceedings. Black Men XCEL 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. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not . I started when I was 16 and I haven't looked back. Etute attended middle school at TS Great Neck Middle School in Virginia Bech. A Virginia Tech spokesperson says Etute is the only football player who has been suspended from the team. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. 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. Police discovered Smiths body in the apartment in the 100 block of Blacksburgs North Main Street on June 1. Judge Mike Fleenor, however, officially excluded the defense, which was banned in Virginia after Smith died. 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. The medical examiners office had previously revealed that Smith had died from blunt force trauma to the head. Tim Sullivan HokieHaven Turks response to Morgan outlining the circumstances of the case was to emphasize that the victim solicited Etute for sexual activity. That investigation became public in March thanks to unsealed search warrants filed in June 2021 by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. 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. 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. Management Both players initially left, but Etute returned to the apartment, and testified that he received oral sex and a $50 gift from Smith. On May 31, another Virginia Tech player, Jalen Hampton, also connected with "Angie Renee" on Tinder. 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