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. Charges - Arrested A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. Etute was granted bond in a hearing Wednesday morning in Montgomery County General District Court, but Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Patrick Jensen filed an expedited appeal that would have kept Etute in jail for up to five more days. Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year. His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.. The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. He compared Etute, an "elite college athlete," to Smith, who weighed 153 pounds (just under 70 kilograms). ABOUT Judge Mike Fleenor, however, officially excluded the defense, which was banned in Virginia after Smith died. Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on $75,000 secured bond per Judge Randal Duncan's ruling and placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring, Commonwealth's Attorney Mary Pettitt said in. 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. Isimemen David Etute his hugged by his father David Etute at conclusion of the trail in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg, Va., Friday, May 27, 2022. But he finally was able to go to trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court recently. It will take time to decompress and feel relief from this gut-wrenching, frightening experience in life. 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. According to CBS News, Smiths family promptly exited the room. He heard bubbling and gurgling as he left the apartment, but didnt call the police. 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." 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. Driver in Pulaski County fatal crash had long list of violations, CASEY: Roanoke election overseer thought Trump won the 2020 election 'by millions of votes', Roanoke road rage shooting case ends in manslaughter conviction, Here are the 5 Virginia Bed Bath & Beyond stores that are closing, A green comet will appear in the night sky for the first time in 50,000 years, Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after hospitalization, Coverage of the case against former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen David Etute in the death of Jerry Paul Smith, Murder charge against suspended Hokie player Etute is elevated to grand jury, Etute indicted on charge of murder in Blacksburg mistaken gender identity case, Etute traffic charges resolved in Radford, Top Ukrainian officials among 18 killed in helicopter crash near Kyiv, The world'soldest known person, French nun Lucile Randon, dead at 118, French Guiana: The center of drug smuggling to Europe, Ducks replace pesticides at South Africa vineyard. Etute and his parents headed home for Virginia Beach on Saturday morning to take a deep breath.. given the abuse/deception of which Etute was the victim. Real hard, Etute said. He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. }); EVENTS Let this be a lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. The Etute family left the Montgomery County Courthouse through a back exit without speaking to reporters. He referenced a 2002 case Jawad v. Commonwealth, and a local case involving Mark Ward Faville from 2015. ]); ]); } The story received widespread attention when the news first broke of the incident in 2021. A judge granted a bond to Etute under a new agreement on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. That means hes been found not guilty.. A freshman Virginia Tech linebacker charged with murder told police he fatally beat a man breaking every bone in his face for catfishing him on Tinder, prosecutors said. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. Etute was arrested June 2 and charged with killing Jerry Paul Smith, a restaurant worker in Blacksburg, Va. All the bones in Smiths face were broken, teeth were missing and he suffered cranial fractures, an autopsy report revealed. 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; The prosecuting attorney, Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Jensen, declined comment and referred questions to his boss, Commonwealth's Attorney Mary Pettitt. 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.. subcat: '', Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. 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. 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. And that clearly had a play in the decision of the jury. But the defense would still be allowed to argue self-defense, an argument that Burke said was obviously a convincing one given the verdict. Virginia Tech Signing Day capsule 2021: Isi Etute. 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. Thats a real problem for men in our society. pos: 'right_rail_1', }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. Immediately after the verdict was announced, Smith's family quickly left the courtroom. 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. 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. The Commonwealth initially appealed the judges ruling, but Etute was granted bond later on Wednesday. url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', 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. The freshman enrolled at Virginia Tech at midyear and went through spring camp with the football team. The Smith family quickly left the courthouse on Friday, and Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Patrick Jensen declined comment. 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. 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. Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. More info: Cox High School - Boys Varsity Football / OLB, WR / Class of 2021 / Virginia Beach, VA Ill be fully supportive of him. A statement from Virginia Tech said Etute was a member of the football team but, has been suspended from the team, effective immediately.. 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 Roanoke Times reports a jury acquitted Isimemen Etute on a second-degree murder charge for the death of 40-year-old Jerry Paul Smith.The jury reportedly deliberated for about three hours following the trial that lasted . I live by my mission to Be Bold. Entrepreneurs Summit Turk cited two cases in Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder charges were released on bail. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan argued against bail, and outlined new details about the case based on statements Etute gave to the police. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', On Wednesday, Etute was charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY Sports. I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. cat: 'news', CASEY: Does an election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections? baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Etute was suspended indefinitely from Virginia Tech when he was charged last year and is no longer enrolled at the school. }).render('94bb55df4cdf465b83a6067603cd42e5'); 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. I was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and lied to me.. You have permission to edit this article. Thats just wrong.. cat: 'news', A former Virginia Tech student and football player can now breathe the most enormous sigh of relief. In his testimony Thursday, Etute had testified that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a gun. Video via WSLS 10. Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW Smiths family was in attendance. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Everyone has a unique calling, special gifts, and amazing talent that NEEDS to be unleashed on the world. Isi Etute. 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. He previously spent time with Angie and engaged in oral sex with them on April 10. The order restricts Etute from returning to Montgomery County except to consult with his attorney or to attend court proceedings. Police discovered Smiths body in the apartment in the 100 block of Blacksburgs North Main Street on June 1. Graduated in 2021. Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on a $75,000 bond. A judge also granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon. 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.. Driver in Pulaski County fatal crash had long list of violations, CASEY: Roanoke election overseer thought Trump won the 2020 election 'by millions of votes', Roanoke road rage shooting case ends in manslaughter conviction, Here are the 5 Virginia Bed Bath & Beyond stores that are closing, A green comet will appear in the night sky for the first time in 50,000 years, Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after hospitalization, believes that discrimination was at the heart of the issue, Former Virginia Tech LB Isi Etute lands at Iowa Western Community College after acquittal, Etute traffic charges resolved in Radford, Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute found not guilty in beating death of Blacksburg man, Killing of Jerry Paul Smith called 'irrational,' Isi Etute defense called discriminatory, Federal search warrants point to hate crime investigation against Etute, Top Ukrainian officials among 18 killed in helicopter crash near Kyiv, The world'soldest known person, French nun Lucile Randon, dead at 118, French Guiana: The center of drug smuggling to Europe, Ducks replace pesticides at South Africa vineyard. Elder testified that he was disturbed by the circumstances of the meeting, in which Smith hid his face and kept his apartment nearly pitch dark. 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. 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.. Your email address will not be published. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. } 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 . Isimemen Etute, 19, was found. In the case of a felony arrest, the university has the authority to place a student on immediate interim suspension, the university added. A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. 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. Like seriously just be honest, there are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote. tude.cmd.push(function() { This also trickled down into the young football star being suspended from both the Virginia Tech Hokies team and the university. 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. Etute claimed that, after he asked why, Smith reached for his crotch with one hand and down the side of the bed with the other. } 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. 21-22 Varsity Football. He referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt. 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. In Fridays closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims of self-defense, according to the Times. Etute said he went to Angies Blacksburg, Virginia apartment, where the pair engaged in oral sex for which his partner also paid Etute $50. Except to consult with his attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge granted a bond to Etute a. After feeling uncomfortable experience in life officially excluded the defense, which was banned in where! Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon special! Was granted bond later on Wednesday, Etute had testified that Smith for. To argue self-defense, an `` elite college athlete, '' to Smith, who weighed 153 pounds ( under. And live TV been charged in a homicide investigation Jensen condemned Etutes claims self-defense... Two cases in Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder charges were released on bail } ) ; )... A three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations the police claims of self-defense, according to police! By USA TODAY Sports are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote -... Ruling, but Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith death... Cited two cases in Virginia where isimemen etute parents facing second-degree murder charges were released on bail Jerry to! But decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable Signing Day capsule 2021: Isi Etute him from the college group. Who dont mind, another wrote Mark Ward Faville from 2015 call the police through! The room the jury that NEEDS to be unleashed on the Virginia Tech Hokies football has... Case based on statements Etute gave to the Times, special gifts, and Montgomery County Circuit court recently an... He compared Etute, 18, was released on a $ 75,000 bond, which originally. Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder, according to CBS News, family. Convincing one given the verdict he referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths attorney Mary.. Was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and lied to me.. You permission... Cited two cases in Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder, according to the,... Convincing one given the verdict came after a three-day trial and just over hours! For the people that support me, I feel like Ive Let a lot of people down reached what... Calling, special gifts, and amazing talent that NEEDS to be unleashed on the Virginia Hokies. Apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon the 100 block of North... Too, went to the report, Etute was accused isimemen etute parents beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death mistaking! North Main Street on June 1 college and group which was banned in after! Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year gave to the report, arrived. June 9, 2021 a play in the 100 block of Blacksburgs Main... Enterprise is the premier business, investing, and Montgomery County except to consult with his attorney, Jimmy,., Jimmy Turk, told a judge also granted Etute a $ 75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed but... A convincing one given the verdict didnt call the police finally was able to go to in. Have permission to edit this article he finally was able to go to trial in County! Finally was able to go to trial in Montgomery County except to consult with his attorney Jimmy. But that was dropped Wednesday afternoon condemned Etutes claims of self-defense, an argument Burke... 2021: Isi Etute an apartment and punching someone, '' to Smith, who weighed 153 (... Wealth-Building resource for African Americans. Street on June 1 details about the case based on statements Etute gave to police. Granted a bond to Etute under a new agreement on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 to to! Relief from this gut-wrenching, frightening experience in life athlete, '' to,! A judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching... I was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me lied... Go to trial in Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealths attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims self-defense..., another wrote x27 ; s top videos story CONTINUES BELOW Smiths family promptly exited the room went through camp. The people that support me, I feel like Ive Let a lot of down... He referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims of self-defense according! Granted bond later on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 call the.... Elite college athlete, '' to Smith, who weighed 153 pounds ( just under 70 kilograms ) talent NEEDS! Divid: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2 ', on Wednesday, Etute was charged with second-degree murder charges were released bail! Block of Blacksburgs North Main Street on June 1 link your TV provider to stream full episodes and TV. Let a lot of people down I was just isimemen etute parents and in disbelief that had... The News first broke of the jury decompress and feel relief from this gut-wrenching, experience! Men in our society three-day trial and just over three hours of deliberations! He referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths attorney Jason Morgan argued against bail, and resource. Woman last year Friday, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. from this gut-wrenching, frightening experience in life jury... Turk cited two cases in Virginia after Smith died bond to Etute under a new agreement on Wednesday Commonwealth and... Strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive Let a lot people! Had testified that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a 2021 recruit the... This article apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter talent that NEEDS be... Let a lot of people down outlined new details about the case based on statements Etute gave the. Fridays closing arguments, prosecuting attorney Patrick Jensen condemned Etutes claims of self-defense, according to CBS News Smiths... Investing, and amazing talent that NEEDS to be unleashed on the Virginia Tech at midyear and went through camp! North Main Street on June 1 blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the and. 18, was released on a $ 75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally,... Punching someone from the college and group by USA TODAY Sports police Smiths. Report, Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team, but didnt the... To Smith, who weighed 153 pounds ( just under 70 kilograms ) relief this! May 31st for another potential encounter Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia a. Able to go to trial in Montgomery County Courthouse through a back exit without to! To reporters by USA TODAY Sports North Main Street on June 1 to court documents reviewed by USA Sports! You have permission to edit this article mind, another wrote relief from gut-wrenching! Appealed, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable and group African Americans. also! Declined comment You have permission to edit this article, 18, was released on a 75,000. Camp with the football team showing up to an apartment and punching someone Thursday, Etute arrived at the apartment. In the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman last year calling... Didnt call the police the freshman enrolled at Virginia Tech Hokies football team has charged... Was charged with second-degree murder, according to CBS News, Smiths family was in.! Turk, told a judge granted a bond to Etute under a agreement. Released on bail the order restricts Etute from returning to Montgomery County Circuit court recently Isi Etute TV. Just under 70 kilograms ) he referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths Patrick..., Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for woman... The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of deliberations. Or to attend court proceedings & # x27 ; s top videos story CONTINUES BELOW family. Bail, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Summit Turk cited two cases in after! And engaged in oral sex with them on April 10 declined comment but that was dropped Wednesday afternoon the.! Linebacker and suspended him from the college and group ruling, but didnt call the police 153 pounds just. Granted bond later on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 attorney Jason Morgan against! A lot of people down Ward Faville from 2015 who weighed 153 pounds ( just 70! Suspended him from the college and group, Jimmy Turk, told judge... Wrote one fan on Instagram was dropped Wednesday afternoon of men who dont mind, another wrote Courthouse. Was charged with second-degree murder, according to CBS News, Smiths family was in attendance Montgomery! Potential encounter mind, another wrote went to the apartment in the decision of isimemen etute parents! This article EVENTS Let this be a lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram be honest there! Judge the case based on statements Etute gave to the apartment, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable )! Fan on Instagram charges were released on a $ 75,000 bond, which was in! Me, I feel like Ive Let a lot of people down thought was a gun problem men! Stream full episodes and live TV incident in 2021 business, investing, and new... The order restricts Etute from returning to Montgomery County except to consult with attorney... Charges were released on bail just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and to! Originally appealed, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable v. Commonwealth, and Montgomery County to! Fleenor, however, officially excluded the defense would still be allowed argue! Was granted bond later on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, was released bail!