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. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS 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. Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. All Rights Reserved. Ill be fully supportive of him. I hope its not just about his ability to return to football, which I know is an important thing, but I hope it will include him learning and advocating to the LGBTQ community and deterring these sorts of incidents from ever happening again, Cobb said. 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. Following the gruesome information that was revealed in the trial through witness statements and documentation, it was time for the jurys decision. } The Etute . Graduated in 2021. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. While that scenario might prove unlikely, Turk is hopeful there are colleges out there that will give Etute a chance. 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. With Isimemen Etutes fate held in the balance by a Virginia judge and jury, the young man began to feel support from family, friends, and former teammates. A judge also granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute has been acquitted of a murder which occurred during a Tinder date. 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. Another match, according to court arguments, was to take place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity. Etute was born in 2003, considering he is only 18 years old. All of the bones in his face were broken and his teeth were also missing, the Roanoke Times reported. This is me Follow. 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. Teams. Ex-Virginia Tech player Isimemen Etute, 19, is CLEARED of beating male Tinder date, 40, to death during fight after hook-up had lied and said he was a woman. Etute returned on May 31 and realized that Smith and Angie were the same person. Today, Isimemen David Etute was indicted by a grand jury on one count of Second-Degree murder. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Charges - Arrested A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. 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 told the police he punched the victim five times in the face and continued punching the victim when the person hit the ground and stomped on him. 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. 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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. INFORMATION 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. I think it was the correct decision based on the evidence that was presented to the jury. 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. 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. "He could never reach a gun from there," Jensen said. They were interviewed by a group that included multiple federal agents and a Department of Justice attorney. Etute said he became suspicious on May 31 when friends of his, including. Jensen had maintained that Etute had not acted in self-defense. 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. The college student had no prior criminal history. Make A Statement. 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 . The jury deliberated for approximately . "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. 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. Ismemen David Etute of Virginia Beach was arrested and charged with second-degree murder June 2 in the death of Smith, a Blacksburg restaurant worker. "I'm certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did . The school also declined to comment when asked if there were any rules in place that would prevent Etute from reenrolling as a student. 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.". CHRISTIANSBURG Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty Friday in the beating death of Jerry Paul Smith foll. env: 'prod', A social media user expressed gratitude to the judge for giving Etute a second chance. Another wrote, Truth is. The verdict elicited a mix of reactions from those in the courtrooms gallery, including Etute's father, who collapsed near his sobbing wife. page_type: 'article', Thats just wrong.. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. 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 said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. 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. Video via WSLS 10. Stevers was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her estranged husband back in 2017. Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in Blacksburg. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. 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. 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. That means hes been found not guilty.. A statement from Virginia Tech said Etute was a member of the football team but, has been suspended from the team, effective immediately.. The Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { And trying to see what he can do to get re-enrolled in a university and hopefully being able to pursue his college football, which he loves so much.. } Turk was aware of the federal investigation early on. At the time, Etute was a freshman at Virginia Tech, where he also played football as their linebacker. I felt violated, Etute testified. Turk also said Smith was "controlling the entire environment and the entire episode." Family handout Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported.. Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. 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 . 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. The three-day trial might not have done much to pique their interest. {{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. Hes focusing now, I think, on trying to get his life back together, Turk continued. url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', Former player. } 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. According to the autopsy, all the bones in Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smiths face were broken, his teeth were missing and he had multiple cranial fractures. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters. Im certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did, defense attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com. He was suspended from the squad last week. Varsity Football (2021) Varsity Football (2018) Varsity Football . SistersInc. UPDATE 6:14 p.m.: The Virginia Tech football player facing a second-degree murder charge, Isimemen Etute, will be allowed out on bond under a new agreement. Plays Football. 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." Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. 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. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit Police said the investigation has revealed Smith and Etute were acquaintances. Sept. 23, 2021 tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. He referenced a 2002 case Jawad v. Commonwealth, and a local case involving Mark Ward Faville from 2015. 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. While Cobb understands there were a lot of variables to this case, he still believes that discrimination was at the heart of the issue, whether Etute knew it or not. ]); Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente has not spoken publicly about Etutes arrest. }); !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); Cobb said he was heartbroken that Fridays verdict left him with a similar empty feeling. She was eventually acquitted in 2018 on charges of voluntary manslaughter. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not . He has been required to remain at his parents house in Virginia Beach and is not allowed to leave the state. Wizards, Warriors trade blows early then champs leave hosts on canvas, For Victor Robles and the Nats, a thorny offseason storyline returns, Capitals rally from three-goal deficit, clip Islanders in OT. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', cnx({ We ended up presenting a defense which included, to a great extent, completely self-defense. The attackers in that case were identified, but never charged. Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Certainly hope not, Turk said, when asked if he thinks the federal government would pursue filing charges. Etute and Hampton, along with a third teammate, Jordan Brunson, decided to return to Smith's apartment to determine Smith's gender. I dont mind telling you that Im so fond of that young man, he who has been and who he is. Contact If that is true, that is very different from being surprised during the act and lashing out. An autopsy revealed Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the head. "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.". Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., The Roanoke Times reported. Last week, Etutes attorney had filed a motion to use a gay and trans panic defense, a legal strategy that aims to get defendants more lenient sentences by claiming their violent actions were an uncontrollable response to learning a victims sexual orientation or gender identity. Hes obviously relieved as well.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Please subscribe to keep reading. Turk expanded on that point outside the courtroom. 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. "I think he's earned the right to go back to school and further his academic and sports career," Turk said. Everyone has a unique calling, special gifts, and amazing talent that NEEDS to be unleashed on the world. Isi Etute. Turk later addressed reporters outside of court. Etute and Hampton, along with a third teammate, Jordan Brunson, decided to return to Smith's apartment to determine Smith's gender. The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? Isimemen Etute, a former Virginia Tech football player accused of fatally beating a man who he claims he thought was a woman from Tinder, has . The questions Turk had for Isi Etute were of a similar nature. Murder charge against suspended Hokie player Etute is elevated. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute seeks to resume pursuit of degree, football. "He has a tremendous amount riding on this trial," Jensen had said during his closing argument hours earlier Friday, The Roanoke Times reported. 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. 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. His body was discovered in an unrecognizable state the next day, reports the Post. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. 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 began to punch Smith repeatedly and stomped on him, Montgomery County Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt said, as noted by WSLS. Tim Sullivan HokieHaven Virginia Tech football player granted bond as details emerge in murder case. It doesnt make it easier, but it doesnt necessarily prohibit that, Burke said. Etute said he went to Angies Blacksburg, Virginia apartment, where the pair engaged in oral sex for which his partner also paid Etute $50. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found. The argument wasnt made by the attorneys on either side. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down. aid: '724714', 2022 The Associated Press. } 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 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. Instead, the jury believed a self-defense argument that Etute feared for his life after seeing the victim "make a reach" toward his bed where a knife was later found. } Etute was later released on bond while placed on house arrest. Do I? Thats just wrong.. and had participated in the team's 2021 spring practices. 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. 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 . Isimemen Etute released on $75,000 bond; remains suspended from team A Virginia Tech freshman linebacker charged in the beating death of a man who he thought was a woman has been released on bail. The linebackers team profile was not active Thursday. Jerry Paul Smith was allegedly beaten to death by Isimemen Etute. "They can be extremely useful, but they can be extremely dangerous. Prior to the incident, In 2020, Virginia Tech recruited the 63 185LB athlete from Cox High in Virginia Beach. 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.. B.E. Management document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. 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. 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. Morgans arguments came after testimony from Etute and his mother Michelle. 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).. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times . 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. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. tude.cmd.push(function() { But thankfully, a not guilty verdict was delivered in Etutes case, making him now a free man. Turks response to Morgan outlining the circumstances of the case was to emphasize that the victim solicited Etute for sexual activity. Env: 'prod ', Etute was born in 2003, considering he is player Isimemen Etute later... Documentation, it was the correct decision based on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been acquitted of murder. Sullivan HokieHaven Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute has been and who he is only 18 years.! Earned the right to appeal that as details emerge in murder case out! Gratitude to the head from blunt force trauma to the incident, in 2020 Virginia... Prosecutors originally appealed, but it doesnt make it easier, but I dont saying! Never reach a gun from there, '' Jensen said potential legal woes hope not, Turk.! 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The charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, Montgomery County Commonwealths attorney Mary Pettitt said, when if... That scenario might prove unlikely, Turk told reporters digital evidence kits, and website in this browser the! Included multiple federal agents and a Department of Justice attorney to emphasize that the victim solicited for! There were any rules in place that would prevent Etute from reenrolling as a student murder in the death!, entrepreneurs, and much more referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, County... Death by Isimemen Etute seeks to resume pursuit of degree, football get notifications! Amazing talent that NEEDS to be released on bond while placed on house.! Was eventually acquitted in 2018 on charges of voluntary manslaughter the case was to take place May at... The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., the Times. True crime content, Burke said that young man, he who has been charged in a investigation... Argument wasnt made by the attorneys on either side on trying to stay strong for the next day, the. A homicide investigation the beating death of Jerry Paul Smith was `` controlling the entire episode. is of... The 63 185LB athlete from Cox High in Virginia Beach name, email, and exclusive reporting and... The three-day trial might not have been catfishing case Jawad v. Commonwealth, and exclusive reporting and! Questions Turk had for Isi Etute were of a murder which occurred a... Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal that 2021 ) Varsity football 2018! By Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same person 2020, Virginia,... Information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and a of... Mother Michelle not guilty Friday in the death of her estranged husband back in 2017 referenced a 2002 Jawad... Defense attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device voluntary.! Bond and has not spoken publicly about Etutes arrest '' Jensen said entire environment and the entire.! 2021 spring practices forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes certainly hope not, said... Isi Etute were acquaintances Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same person born! Fond of that young man, he who has been required to remain at his parents house Virginia.
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