(Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Virginia's Blacksburg Police Department announced on Wednesday that Virginia Tech freshman linebacker Isimemen Etute has been arrested. That means hes been found not guilty.. The medical examiners office had previously revealed that Smith had died from blunt force trauma to the head. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. Multiple Virginia Tech spokespersons declined comment Saturday about the verdict. He was recruited to the school as a three-star linebacker from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach. 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. 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. Eighteen-year-old Isimemen Etute was a 2021 recruit on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team. "He could never reach a gun from there," Jensen said. url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', 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 . 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. I felt violated, Etute testified. The suspended Virginia Tech football player is scheduled to stand trial in May. Details were also revealed that Jerry Smith harbored a weapon hidden between his mattress and box spring. 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. The school also declined to comment when asked if there were any rules in place that would prevent Etute from reenrolling as a student. Etute, who is charged in the death of 40-year-old Jerry Smith, was set to be released to live with his family. Etute apparently told police he matched with a person named Angie on the dating app Tinder on April 10, and met for oral sex. 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. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (TCD) -- A former football player at Virginia Tech University was found not guilty of beating a man to death who posed as a woman on a dating app. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. 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. 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. A social media user expressed gratitude to the judge for giving Etute a second chance. Another wrote, Truth is. 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. "They can be extremely useful, but they can be extremely dangerous.". 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. The Smith family quickly left the courthouse on Friday, and Montgomery County Chief Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Patrick Jensen declined comment. according to 247sports. Graduated in 2021. "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.". Some have suggested Etute suspected Smith was a dude and went there intending to confront him and potentially retaliate. He was the number 36 prospect in Virginia and 45 inside linebacker in the country, according to 247sports. Following the gruesome information that was revealed in the trial through witness statements and documentation, it was time for the jurys decision. Isimemen David Etute is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. 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. 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. 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. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. Etute -- a 6-foot-2, 200-pound outside LB -- signed with Va. Tech after committing to the school in July 2020 . 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Hes going to get his life back, and Im hopeful, said Jimmy Turk to reporters. Cox High School Virginia Beach VA. 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.. and had participated in the team's 2021 spring practices. Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. targeting: { 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. A bailiff was stationed behind Etute throughout the entire hearing, and Etute was handcuffed with his wrists attached to a chain around his waist. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { There are different standards, and they can determine that this case violates federal law.. 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. Isimemen Etute was later charged for the incident. Listen ! Varsity Football (2021) Varsity Football (2018) Varsity Football . In a strange sort of way, it kind of gives people who think its OK to beat up gay people, it kind of gives them permission to do that, Cobb said, in a pained voice. "It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit Hampton and Smith then both made contact with Etute, with Smith encouraging Etute to "put in a good word" with his teammate. 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 .) 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.". }); !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); Two Virginia Tech football players and family hug after the Isimemen Etute hearing in Christiansburg Wednesday. The three-day trial might not have done much to pique their interest. She was eventually acquitted in 2018 on charges of voluntary manslaughter. Etute is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. 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. 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. The young athlete went to Smiths home on April 10 and received oral sex, according to the t attorney Jimmy Turk. 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. SistersInc. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty of second degree murder by a Montgomery County jury on Friday for the beating death of Jerry Smith, 40, according to the Roanoke Times. Registry of Corporate Directors. Virginia Tech Signing Day capsule 2021: Isi Etute. I think it was the correct decision based on the evidence that was presented to 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. }).render('3811c1c9bba941ecb6c4a456cf0ac0f7'); 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. According to authorities, Etute visited Smith's apartment after making a Tinder. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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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. Stop playing with people. kw: 'mandc,isimemen-etute', Women of Power Summit 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', The linebackers team profile was not active Thursday. Duncans decision isnt without precedent. Cobb said he closely followed the proceedings after he read about the incident last year when it happened. The two engaged in sexual activity with Etute not aware of Smiths sexual identity. pos: 'right_rail_2', 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. 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Etute said he "felt around" and used his cell phone's flashlight to determine Smith was not a woman. "I think he's earned the right to go back to school and further his academic and sports career," Turk said. According to the Roanoke Times, Fleenor stated it would have been applicable, but this [ruling] is purely procedural.. page_type: 'article', Blacksburg police caught the 18-year old linebacker and suspended him from the college and group. The former Virginia Tech football player accused of beating a Tinder date to death after mistaking him for a woman was acquitted of second-degree murder Friday. Etute and his parents headed home for Virginia Beach on Saturday morning to take a deep breath.. 6'3" 185 lbs Sophomore. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Isimemen Etute, 18, was. What followed was a host of sad events. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', The victim is Blacksburg resident Jerry Smith, 40. The Blacksburg (Va.) Police Department responded to a welfare check Monday night where officers discovered a deceased male victim, according to the citys website. 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. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! The former football player confessed his feelings of letting people down and said he was truly sorry for his actions. Etute also had no priors at the time compared to Jerry Smiths many previous offenses including including filing a false police report, public intoxication, driving under the influence, and reckless driving among others. It will take time to decompress and feel relief from this gut-wrenching, frightening experience in life. Isimemen Etute is 18 years old. Fleenor would have read an instruction to the jury precluding the defense had the law been in place on May 31 when the crime was committed, but the instruction wouldnt have mentioned gender identity or sexual orientation as agreed to by the prosecution. His body was discovered in an unrecognizable state the next day, reports the Post. Theres a long history in the masculine world we live in to say I dont want to be perceived as gay, or feminine or weak or less than, Cobb said. Isimemen Etute was granted bond Wednesday on the charge of second-degree murder in the Montgomery County General District Court. {{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. This article was published more than1 year ago. Another match, according to court arguments, was to take place May 31 at an apartment for additional sexual activity. Turk was aware of the federal investigation early on. - For people to unapologetically and fearlessly walk in their purpose. I was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and lied to me.. The order restricts Etute from returning to Montgomery County except to consult with his attorney or to attend court proceedings. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute seeks to resume pursuit of degree, football. aid: '724714', playerId: 'be5717b5-2a7b-4fde-8c19-21cbbff0cd95' 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. } The best insights from the ultimate insiders. Your email address will not be published. Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente has not spoken publicly about Etutes arrest. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! url: 'isimemen,etute,a,virginia,tech,recruit,beat,tinder,date,to,death,after,learning,he,was,a,man', 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. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Who is Mohammed Nuru? playerId: '31d84b62-a3ea-4274-9349-1b7ccedbd1d7' The suspect in the killing faces a prelimary hearing in Montgomery County September 23. Hes been acquitted of a crime, Turk said. 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 . First published on May 28, 2022 / 10:23 AM. The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Police said the investigation has revealed Smith and Etute were acquaintances. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. The verdict came after a three-day trial and just over three hours of jury deliberations. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. Etutes attorneys argued the beating was self-defense during a confrontation last year in which the mans true identity was revealed and Etute perceived that Smith was reaching for a weapon. env: 'prod', Please subscribe to keep reading. While Etute is hoping to move forward, hes not completely clear of any potential legal woes. 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.