kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Etute was charged with second-degree murder and held in at the Montgomery County Jail, police said. Plays Football. Charges - Arrested A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. aid: '724714', Graduated in 2021. I live by my mission to Be Bold. 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. 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. 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. Upon confronting Smith, Etute testified that Smith grabbed at Etute's genitals, causing Etute to strike Smith in the face with the back of his hand. Etutes parents and sister attended the hearing in a packed courtroom that also included members of the Hokies football team, according to reports. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Upon confronting Smith, Etute testified that Smith grabbed at Etute's genitals, causing Etute to strike Smith in the face with the back of his hand. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. 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. Be honest with who you are. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute seeks to resume pursuit of degree, football. 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).. Etute, with her voice barely above a whisper, said there is someone at home pretty much around the clock at the household with his sister requiring extra care. 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. Tim Sullivan HokieHaven TheNew York Postoffered an account given by Isimemen Etute to authorities through Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan. 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. 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.". 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. BE 100s 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. 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. Obviously, the jury did as well.. The law states that juries could not consider such reactions as legitimate justification. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. Thats just wrong.. env: 'prod', cat: 'news', At the time, Etute was a freshman at Virginia Tech, where he also played football as their linebacker. cnx.cmd.push(function() { Etute said he became suspicious on May 31 when friends of his, including. 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.. Etute, a Virginia Tech freshman linebacker charged with second-degree murder, fatally beat his victim after discovering that . Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery. He has been required to remain at his parents house in Virginia Beach and is not allowed to leave the state. A bailiff was stationed behind Etute throughout the entire hearing, and Etute was handcuffed with his wrists attached to a chain around his waist. Turk got emotional arguing on Etutes behalf during the hearing, and fought to fight back tears during his closing argument, and again outside the courtroom. 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. Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan argued against bail, and outlined new details about the case based on statements Etute gave to the police. Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente has not spoken publicly about Etutes arrest. Under an agreement, Etute was allowed out on bond,. About Be proud of who you are. 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. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', INFORMATION Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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.. Isi Etute; Add Athlete Photo. Etute, who is charged with second-degree murder, was arrested on June 2. 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 . Family handout Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported.. pos: 'right_rail_3', I felt violated, Etute testified. SistersInc. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', The medical examiners office had previously revealed that Smith had died from blunt force trauma to the head. It has made us stronger and strengthened our faith., We will continue to include the Smith family in our prayers. Sales Partnership Solutions Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. Jensen said that while Etute was wearing flip-flops at the time of the encounter, those shoes were attached to a "big person" and a "strong person." Etute was suspended indefinitely from Virginia Tech when he was charged last year and is no longer enrolled at the school. Etute also told police that Smith did not assault him. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Both players initially left, but Etute returned to the apartment, and testified that he received oral sex and a $50 gift from Smith. Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. Turk frequently teared up during his 45-minute closing statement and when talking to reporters about Etutes high character. Jersey #20 Position OLB, WR Overall Region 7-5 6-4 VA Rank 134. 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. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not . Etute said he punched Smith five times and kicked him to gain time to escape the apartment. He has since been suspended from the Virginia Tech football squad, the university said in a Wednesday statement. A statement from Virginia Tech said Etute was a member of the football team but, has been suspended from the team, effective immediately.. pos: 'right_rail_1', Sept. 23, 2021 Etute appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. The suspended Virginia Tech football player is scheduled to stand trial in May. 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. 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. He has been suspended from the team, according to a statement from the university, which has authority to suspend any student charged in a felony arrest. Freshman Isimemen Etute is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of Jerry Smith, 40, on May 31. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. tude.cmd.push(function() { This wasn't a first-time meeting. Former player. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. The last request came in December 2021. If that is true, that is very different from being surprised during the act and lashing out. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The victim is Blacksburg resident Jerry Smith, 40. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. Helicopter crash near Ukraine kindergarten kills children and top officials, U.S. lawyer who died in Mexico was "victim of a brutal crime," family says, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Paul Gosar and George Santos get House committee seats, Qantas plane lands safely on single engine after mayday call over Pacific, New Mexico lawmaker says shootings suspect confronted her outside her home, Gov. Recently unsealed court documents indicate Isimemen Etute and three other Virginia Tech football players were under investigation for a possible hate crime in relation to Etute's murder charge. However, a follow-up encounter with the two ended with a fatal tragedy. 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. Criminologist Tod Burke, who is a former police officer and retired criminal justice professor, said its not unheard of for the federal government to pursue charges despite a not guilty even in state court. 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. He had just signed his letter of intent in December before enrolling at Virginia Tech in January. Isi is extremely grateful for the jurys hard work, deliberation, and verdict., Isi is now focused on picking up where he left off in his pursuit of a college degree and love for the game of football. Im certainly appreciative that the verdict turned out the way that it did, defense attorney Jimmy Turk told Oxygen.com. Etute was later released on bond while placed on house arrest. 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. The attackers in that case were identified, but never charged. Prosecutors stated the investigation was ongoing when they asked a U.S. magistrate judge to keep the documents under seal for 90 days on multiple occasions. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. Roanoke City Council member Joe Cobb, who identifies as a member of the regions LGBTQ community, hopes one of the steps Etute takes is advocating on behalf of gender and sexual minorities. Do I? They would reportedly meet on April 10th, when the 18-year-old male received an act of pleasure from his Tinder date at the latters apartment. 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. 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. Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. CASEY: Does an election denialist now oversee Roanokes elections? Etute failed to notify authorities that he'd left Smith injured, bubbling and gurgling, in the apartment. and had participated in the team's 2021 spring practices. 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 . 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. 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. Etute attended middle school at TS Great Neck Middle School in Virginia Bech. according to 247sports. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. The argument wasnt made by the attorneys on either side. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { I do not know a finer 19 year old that Ive ever come into contact with.. "I think he's earned the right to go back to school and further his academic and sports career," Turk said. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. Entrepreneurs Summit 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 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. 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.. 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. 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 .) Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. Etute was born in 2003, considering he is only 18 years old. Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported. This also trickled down into the young football star being suspended from both the Virginia Tech Hokies team and the university. 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. Two of the defendant's friends waited in the hallway of the apartment complex during the violent attack and the three left together. 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.. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. 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 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. Jensen recalled the testimony of medical examiner Dr. Amy Tharp, who Jensen said testified Smith had been the victim of a "brutal beating.". 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. Etute and his parents headed home for Virginia Beach on Saturday morning to take a deep breath.. All Rights Reserved. Smith did not own a gun, but police reported finding a knife between the man's mattress and box spring. After the verdict, Etute's lawyer, James Turk, said his client deserved a second chance at a football career following the jury's decision. 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. 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." 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. 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. Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. We ended up presenting a defense which included, to a great extent, completely self-defense. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. To authorities through Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Jason Morgan argued against bail, and decision makers Attorney turk! Since been suspended from both the Virginia Tech football squad, the university said in a homicide investigation Smith! 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