isimemen etute parents

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. You can cancel at any time. Prosecutors had earlier told the jury that Etute, then 18, became enraged and fatally beat Smith when he discovered Smith was a man. 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. 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 is currently being held in Montgomery County Jail without bond and. Smith's family declined to comment after the bond hearing. Circuit Judge Mike Fleenor didnt preclude the gay panic defense that was the subject of a law passed by the General Assembly last year on a procedural basis. According to the Roanoke Times, Fleenor stated it would have been applicable, but this [ruling] is purely procedural.. Isimemen David Etute, a freshman who was recruited to play linebacker at Virginia Tech, was hit with second-degree murder charges in the death of Jerry Paul Smith in May. A statement from Virginia Tech said Etute was a member of the football team but, has been suspended from the team, effective immediately.. Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me, I feel like Ive let a lot of people down Im truly sorry for my actions.. page_type: 'article', 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. Jensen had maintained that Etute had not acted in self-defense. And you let people CHOOSE to love it or not.. 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 . tude.cmd.push(function() { Former Virginia Tech linebacker Isimemen Etute will get a chance to play football this season following his acquittal on a second-degree murde. One of the next steps they mentioned will be figuring out the best avenue for him to pursue a collegiate degree and resume his football career. Multiple Virginia Tech spokespersons declined comment Saturday about the verdict. A suspended Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder was granted bond during a hearing Wednesday morning in Montgomery County General District Court in Christiansburg, Va., as reportedly sordid details emerged surrounding the case. and had participated in the team's 2021 spring practices. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. 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 coach Justin Fuente has not spoken publicly about Etutes arrest. This article was published more than1 year ago. 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. 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 . cnx.cmd.push(function() { You can cancel at any time. Please subscribe to keep reading. Subscribe to Newsletter Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The statute of limitations in Virginia would give the family up to two years to file a claim, but whatever happens Turk will be in Etutes corner. He was the number 36 prospect in Virginia and 45 inside linebacker in the country, according to 247sports. 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." The sexual encounter reportedly occurred on April 10, 2021, in Smith's apartment. aid: '724714', 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; On Wednesday, Etute was charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents reviewed by USA TODAY Sports. The story received widespread attention when the news first broke of the incident in 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. After the verdict, Etute's lawyer, James Turk, said his client deserved a second chance at a football career following the jury's decision. 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. Thats a real problem for men in our society. Virginia Tech placed Etute on immediate interim suspension and hes been suspended from the football team, the school said in a statement. subcat: '', Judge Mike Fleenor, however, officially excluded the defense, which was banned in Virginia after Smith died. 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. All Rights Reserved. If that is true, that is very different from being surprised during the act and lashing out. 21-22 Varsity Football. A freshman on the Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been charged in a homicide investigation. Video via WSLS 10. 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. Dont target or lure anyone under that perception. The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, claiming he acted in self-defense. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The gay panic defense came into effect July 1 and quite frankly, I dont believe that it would have been applicable to the facts of this case anyway because thats not what led to the death, 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. Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, Arrested, Charge, Attempted Robbery. 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. 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 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. Stevers was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her estranged husband back in 2017. 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. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 2022 The Associated Press. 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. 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. }).render('94bb55df4cdf465b83a6067603cd42e5'); 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. 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. Isimemen Etute, 19, was found. According to the report, Etute arrived at the same apartment on May 31st for another potential encounter. 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. Contact Etute attended middle school at TS Great Neck Middle School in Virginia Bech. Varsity Football (2021) Varsity Football (2018) Varsity Football . }); EVENTS 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. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times . } Thats just wrong.. Two of the defendant's friends waited in the hallway of the apartment complex during the violent attack and the three left together. LA-based Host/Writer. The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. 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. Etute was accused of beating his Tinder date Jerry Smith to death after mistaking him for a woman last year. 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 attorney Jimmy Turk. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. ]); Turks response to Morgan outlining the circumstances of the case was to emphasize that the victim solicited Etute for sexual activity. }).render('3811c1c9bba941ecb6c4a456cf0ac0f7'); Isimemen Etute was later charged for the incident. Upon the prodding of friends who suspected Angie was a man, Etute returned to the apartment on May 31, 2021. 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.. 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. 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. The young man met Smith under the name Angie while on the Tinder dating app. Etutes parents and sister attended the hearing in a packed courtroom that also included members of the Hokies football team, according to reports. The three-day trial might not have done much to pique their interest. Isimene Atute, a Virginia Tech football player was indicted Wednesday for murder. In 2021, 18-year-old Isimemen Etute thought he met a 21-year-old woman named Angie Renee, posing as an emergency room physician, according toThe Roanoake Times. Turk was asked after the verdict came down if Etute should be allowed back at the university. It will take time to decompress and feel relief from this gut-wrenching, frightening experience in life. Black Men XCEL 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. 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. But the college freshman was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder for. "They can be extremely useful, but they can be extremely dangerous.". Cobb said he closely followed the proceedings after he read about the incident last year when it happened. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. 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. 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. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. 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. Jerry Paul Smith was allegedly beaten to death by Isimemen Etute. Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in Blacksburg. Both players initially left, but Etute returned to the apartment, and testified that he received oral sex and a $50 gift from Smith. Former Virginia Tech players Jalen Hampton and Jordan Brunson, who were called as witnesses in Etutes defense, were interviewed by federal authorities in September. Im truly sorry for my actions.. There was a problem saving your notification. env: 'prod', Etute was suspended indefinitely from Virginia Tech when he was charged last year and is no longer enrolled at the school. 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.. 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 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. 6'3" 185 lbs Sophomore. She was eventually acquitted in 2018 on charges of voluntary manslaughter. Isimemen Etute also took the stand in the three-day trial, where he shared he felt violated and argued that the act was in self-defense. Duncans decision isnt without precedent. In his testimony Thursday, Etute had testified that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a gun. Security camera footage in the apartment showed all three players leaving quickly, with Etute having spent only three minutes inside Smith's apartment. Real hard, Etute said. A Virginia Tech spokesperson says Etute is the only football player who has been suspended from the team. 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. - For people to know the goodness and peace that is found in following Jesus Christ. Based on court records search, over the last nine years there have been at least three other second-degree murder cases in Montgomery County Court, and one of the defendants, Taylor Stevers, was granted bail as well. He has since been suspended from the Virginia Tech football squad, the university said in a Wednesday statement. The Commonwealth exercised its statutory right to appeal that . 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. Under the agreement, Etute was allowed to be at his parent's house under house arrest and electronic monitoring. Isimemen Etute, 18, was released on a $75,000 bond. 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 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. Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder of local man Etute collapsed in tears as the verdict was read, with cheers erupting from a contingent of about 30 family members, supporters and former teammates. There was a problem saving your notification. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Tim Sullivan HokieHaven } 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. Those who followed the story celebrated Isimemen Etutes freedom on social media, with many agreeing that Smith should not have been catfishing. B.E. "He's going to get his life back, and I'm hopeful," said Jimmy Turk to reporters. 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Justin Fuente has not spoken publicly about Etutes arrest the school said a... Any time in 2018 on charges of second-degree murder, claiming he acted in self-defense on immediate interim suspension hes.