document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Who is Mohammed Nuru? According to CBS News, Smiths family promptly exited the room. According to those statements, Etute visited the victims apartment April 10 for oral sex after he was matched up with someone named Angie on Tinder. May 31, 2022. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? Both players initially left, but Etute returned to the apartment, and testified that he received oral sex and a $50 gift from Smith. tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', 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. Security camera footage in the apartment showed all three players leaving quickly, with Etute having spent only three minutes inside Smith's apartment. 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. Isi Etute; Add Athlete Photo. On Wednesday, Etute was charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY Sports. 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. I was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and lied to me.. June 10, 2021, 11:45 a.m.: This article has been updated to note that homicide victim Jerry Paul Smith's family declined to comment after the bond hearing. TheNew York Postoffered an account given by Isimemen Etute to authorities through Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan. Some have suggested Etute suspected Smith was a dude and went there intending to confront him and potentially retaliate. Isimemen David Etute is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. 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. Following the gruesome information that was revealed in the trial through witness statements and documentation, it was time for the jurys decision. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; But the college freshman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder for. 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. Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I never tricked a man and never will its just wrong and disrespectful TO YOURSELF ASWELL !! After the verdict, Etute's lawyer, James Turk, said his client deserved a second chance at a football career following the jury's decision. He talked about the strong relationship he had with his siblings, and said his parents were, the strongest people Ive ever known even through this situation.. 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. 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. I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. He was recruited to the school as a three-star linebacker from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach. 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. Its sad All the way around. Etute practiced with the Hokies during spring camp after enrolling midyear from Cox High School in Virginia Beach. The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. Watch Isi Etute's videos and highlights on Hudl. ", Former Hokie Etute found not guilty of murder, The final 2022 college football Power Rankings, Police: Speed a primary cause in fatal UGA crash, U-M's Weiss on leave amid police investigation, Reports: UF QB commit Rashada wants release, Miami QB Garcia in portal, has 3 eligible seasons, TCU WR Johnston, RB Miller entering NFL draft, Potential top-5 pick Stroud leaving OSU for NFL, Star Trojans WR Addison declares for NFL draft, Colorado QB Shrout leaves Deion, heads to portal, College football's Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023, What Garrett Riley's big move means for Clemson, Dabo and TCU, Ex-Va. Tech player pleads not guilty to murder, Sugar Bowl moved to Dec. 31 to avoid NFL game, Georgia set to extend Kirby Smart's contract. You have permission to edit this article. Virginia Tech revealed that the teen was placed on immediate interim suspension and was suspended from the football team. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. About Quite frankly, I dont think it was applicable anyway, under the facts of the case, Turk told Oxygen.com. A suspended Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder was granted bond during a hearing Wednesday morning in Montgomery County General District Court in Christiansburg, Va., as reportedly sordid details emerged surrounding the case. Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on a $75,000 bond. The Roanoke Times have made multiple attempts to contact both parties. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year. 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. Obviously, the jury did as well.. And you let people CHOOSE to love it or not.. {{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. Smith did not own a gun, but police reported finding a knife between the man's mattress and box spring. Reaction continued to spread to the murder charge against former Hokie linebacker Isi Etute and to his attorney's saying that the victim was wrong to pose online as a woman. The Etute . Etute was 18 years old at the time. Etute was acquired Friday evening of second-degree Murder in the Killing of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, a Blacksburg restaurant worker. "I think he's earned the right to go back to school and further his academic and sports career," Turk said. A grand jury returned the . Please answer some questions in this short survey about professional soccer and the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup. subcat: '', 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. 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 . {{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. The American Nigerian, Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty of a charge of second-degree murder in the 2021 death of Jerry Smith, 40, of Blacksburg. 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. 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. The Etute family left the Montgomery County Courthouse through a back exit without speaking to reporters. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Turks response to Morgan outlining the circumstances of the case was to emphasize that the victim solicited Etute for sexual activity. Please subscribe to keep reading. Im truly sorry for my actions.. Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters outside the courtroom. It isnt about reasonable doubt, I like to say they have to prove their case by 50.1%, Burke said. We ended up presenting a defense which included, to a great extent, completely self-defense. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 21-22 Varsity Football. 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. BE 100s 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. The case stems from a death that happened May 31. Former Virginia Tech players Jalen Hampton and Jordan Brunson, who were called as witnesses in Etutes defense, were interviewed by federal authorities in September. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Registry of Corporate Directors. He further says it has only helped him become much smarter, wiser, and stronger, with a new outlook on life in his journey moving forward.. He previously spent time with Angie and engaged in oral sex with them on April 10. Etute did testify one of his reasons for returning to Smiths apartment was that his close friends had been making jokes that the Angie Renee he had a sexual encounter with on April 10, could have been a dude.. Management Hes going to get his life back, and Im hopeful, Turk said. 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. What followed was a host of sad events. Turk later addressed reporters outside of court. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not . You can cancel at any time. env: 'prod', Security camera footage in the apartment showed all three players leaving quickly, with Etute having spent only three minutes inside Smith's apartment. A social media user expressed gratitude to the judge for giving Etute a second chance. Another wrote, Truth is. subcat: '', Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. "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.". 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. The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. 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.. Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. The college student had no prior criminal history. 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. 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