Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters outside the courtroom. About Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Please subscribe to keep reading. 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He, too, went to the apartment expecting a sexual encounter with a woman, but decided to leave after feeling uncomfortable. Etute then returned to the apartment on May 31 for another meet-up, at which point he discovered the person he had matched up with this time was male, according to Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan, citing details the now-suspended linebacker told cops. 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. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', 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. 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. Management Isimemen Etute was granted bond Wednesday on the charge of second-degree murder in the Montgomery County General District Court. He heard bubbling and gurgling as he left the apartment, but didnt call the police. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Subscribe On Youtube. 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. Etute confessed to then punching and kicking Smith, breaking every bone in the victims face, knocking out teeth and causing cranial fractures. 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. 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. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', } More than a dozen football players most of them clad in Virginia Tech gear were there in support of Etute. 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. 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. Virginia Tech football player Isi Etute told police he punched victim after meeting for sexual encounter. Isimemen David Etute is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. cat: 'news', Isimemen Etute is 18 years old. pos: 'right_rail_1', 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. "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 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. TheNew York Postoffered an account given by Isimemen Etute to authorities through Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan. Video via WSLS 10. 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. B.E. Etute was charged with second-degree murder and held in at the Montgomery County Jail, police said. 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. 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. }); EVENTS 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. Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man 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." Etute had been a rookie linebacker for the Virginia Techs Hokies football when he was arrested for Smiths murder, resulting in his suspension from the team. Isimemen Etute, 18, Jerry Paul Smith, 40, (pictured right) Etute had previously been to Smith's residence on April 10 for oral sex under the impression that he was going to meet someone named Angie, attorneys for both the defense and prosecution told Judge Randal Duncan, according to the Roanoke Times. Stevers was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her estranged husband back in 2017. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. {{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. You have permission to edit this article. Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. While that scenario might prove unlikely, Turk is hopeful there are colleges out there that will give Etute a chance. 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. cat: 'news', The courtroom was packed as Judge Randal Duncan excluded cameras from the courtroom at the start of the proceeding. "He's going to get his life back, and I'm hopeful," said Jimmy Turk to reporters. 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. Etutes parents and sister attended the hearing in a packed courtroom that also included members of the Hokies football team, according to reports. Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. Turk was aware of the federal investigation early on. In the case of a felony arrest, the university has the authority to place a student on immediate interim suspension, Virginia Tech said in the statement. Hes going to get his life back, and Im hopeful, said Jimmy Turk to reporters. Real hard, Etute said. What followed was a host of sad events. Police ruled Smiths death a homicide, but did not say how he was killed. url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', 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.". Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! page_type: 'article', 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. 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. Quite frankly, I dont think it was applicable anyway, under the facts of the case, Turk told Oxygen.com. The suspended Virginia Tech football player is scheduled to stand trial in May. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', The young athlete went to Smiths home on April 10 and received oral sex, according to the t attorney Jimmy Turk. 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 . He was suspended from the squad last week. Investigators ruled the death a homicide and identified Isimemen Etude as a person of interest. Two Virginia Tech football players and family hug after the Isimemen Etute hearing in Christiansburg Wednesday. I dont mind telling you that Im so fond of that young man, he who has been and who he is. Once inside, Etute followed "Angie" to the bedroom and initiated another sexual encounter, before grabbing at the victims privates and removing their sweatshirt hood, which is when he found that his sexual partner had mens facial hair. 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. "He has a tremendous amount riding on this trial," Jensen had said during his closing argument hours earlier Friday, The Roanoke Times reported. 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 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Do I? Etute was ordered released on $75,000 secured bond under conditions of house arrest and electronic monitoring, the Roanoke Times reported, citing Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt. Etute -- a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside LB -- signed with Va. Tech after committing to the school in July 2020 . url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', 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 the defense would still be allowed to argue self-defense, an argument that Burke said was obviously a convincing one given the verdict. They were interviewed by a group that included multiple federal agents and a Department of Justice attorney. But what I'm telling you is this was not self-defense.. 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 . This wasn't a first-time meeting. There are different standards, and they can determine that this case violates federal law.. } 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. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. 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. 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. Please answer some questions in this short survey about professional soccer and the 2022 Men's FIFA World Cup. A judge gave Etute a $75,000 secured bond due to him meeting all the requirements to prove hes neither a flight risk nor a danger to society. The Commonwealth initially appealed the judges ruling, but Etute was granted bond later on Wednesday. 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. At one point during Wednesdays bond hearing, Turk reportedly asked Etute clad in an orange prison jumpsuit how he had been impacted by the charges. 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. Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', 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. Sept. 23, 2021 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. 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. 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. "I'm certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did . The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. Let this be a lesson, wrote one fan on Instagram. cnx({ Like seriously just be honest, there are plenty of men who dont mind, another wrote. 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. A Virginia Tech spokesperson says Etute is the only football player who has been suspended from the team. Upon the prodding of friends who suspected Angie was a man, Etute returned to the apartment on May 31, 2021. First published on May 28, 2022 / 10:23 AM. He has been required to remain at his parents house in Virginia Beach and is not allowed to leave the state. Former Virginia Tech football player Isememen David Etute has been indicted for murdering a man who was acting as a female on the dating app Tinder. Isi Etute. - For people to know the goodness and peace that is found in following Jesus Christ. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. - New details came out in court on Wednesday in the case of a suspended Virginia Tech football player accused of murdering a Blacksburg man.. On June 1, Isimemen Etute was . } The closest Etute came to referencing the charges hes facing is when Turk asked him, how has this affected you? 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. Isimemen Etute, a Virginia Tech student now suspended from the university and its football team, is. Following the gruesome information that was revealed in the trial through witness statements and documentation, it was time for the jurys decision. But, a true NYC native. Graduated in 2021. tag: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Isimemen Etute, 18, was. During a police search of the apartment, a knife was found between Smith's mattress and box spring, but Etute testified he never saw the knife, and he did not mention any concerns for his own safety during his initial police interview on June 2, 2021. 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. Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. Smith eventually died from blunt force injuries to the head. 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. 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More info: Cox High School - Boys Varsity Football / OLB, WR / Class of 2021 / Virginia Beach, VA Details were also revealed that Jerry Smith harbored a weapon hidden between his mattress and box spring. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', A social media user expressed gratitude to the judge for giving Etute a second chance. Another wrote, Truth is. The Etute . Your email address will not be published. Plays Football. 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. Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported. 21-22 Varsity Football. Turk cited two cases in Virginia where defendants facing second-degree murder charges were released on bail. } Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in Blacksburg. There was a problem saving your notification. I never tricked a man and never will its just wrong and disrespectful TO YOURSELF ASWELL !! Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. Etute apparently told police he matched with a person named Angie on the dating app Tinder on April 10, and met for oral sex. A judge granted a bond to Etute under a new agreement on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. and had participated in the team's 2021 spring practices. Etute, who is charged with second-degree murder, was arrested on June 2. 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. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Immediately after the verdict was announced, Smith's family quickly left the courtroom. Etute told investigators he punched Smith five times in the face and stomped on him, but didnt call police despite hearing bubbling and gurgling from the victim as he left the apartment. 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.. 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.. According to authorities, Etute visited Smith's apartment after making a Tinder. 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.

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