Copyright 2021 WDBJ. Isimemen David Etute at the end of his trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg on Friday.

All rights reserved. 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.

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All Rights Reserved. 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.

The warrants sought records from Etutes cellphone, a Tinder account associated with that number, and the cellphone records of three other then-Tech football team members.

Thats just wrong..

At his bond hearing on June 9, the judge granted Etute a $75,000 bond, which prosecutors originally appealed, but that was quickly dropped.

Isi Etute, 18, will be under house arrest for the time being, with electronic monitoring gear, allowed to leave home for court appearances.




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. Etute was acquitted Friday evening of second-degree murder in the killing of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, a Blacksburg restaurant worker. Etute, then an 18-year-old early enrollee at Virginia Tech, fatally beat Smith on May 31 at the Blacksburg restaurant workers apartment, according to court testimony.

Isimemen Etute, a Virginia Beach native, often stayed at Turks house when he was in town for court appearances.



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Linebacker Isimemen Etute was identified as a person of interest and later charged with second-degree murder, police said.

CHRISTIANSBURG Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty Friday in the beating death of Jerry Paul Smith foll, Reaction continued to spread to the murder charge against former Hokie linebacker Isi Etute and to his attorney's saying that the victim was.

At 10:30 p.m. on June 1, police responded to a welfare check at a location in Blacksburg where officers found a deceased male victim and ruled the death was murder, according to a police statement. The gallery reacts at the conclusion of Isimemen David Etute trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg on Friday. 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.

Turk also said Smith was "controlling the entire environment and the entire episode." All rights reserved.

Isimemen Etute, 18, was arrested in the death of Jerry Smith in Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech is located, police said on Wednesday. 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. 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.

"It should be an eye-opener not just for college athletes, but any young people using these social media platforms," Turk said.

Those with information related to this case should contact to Lt. Josh Teubert of the Blacksburg Police Department at 540-443-1424. 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."



At Wednesdays hearing, Etutes attorney, Jimmy Turk, provided some details about the apparent link between the suspect and the victim.

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. The jury began deliberations after closing arguments ended shortly before 3 p.m. Brunson accompanied Etute to Smiths apartment along with Jalen Hampton on May 31.



Judge Mike Fleenor sided with the defense on a pair of notable motions during jury instructions.

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.

Oops.

Former player Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty of a charge of second-degree murder in the 2021 death of Jerry Smith, 40, of Blacksburg. Blacksburg murder suspect released on bond; lawyer says victim lured suspect with fake Tinder profile, Cow killed, car destroyed in early-morning crash and fire, ACPD seeking information after vehicle stolen with two children inside, Day care worker charged with rape of 3-year-old girl, authorities say, Shenandoah National Park seeing uptick in littering and vandalism, Brush fire affecting nearly 30 acres, according to Rockingham County Fire & Rescue, Local housing market remains strong despite increasing cost of homeowners insurance, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. "He could never reach a gun from there," Jensen said.

The judge sidestepped the substance of the arguments since the court was only being asked if the defense met what he described as an extraordinarily low standard to allow the jury to consider self-defense.

He said Etute and Smith had matched on the dating site Tinder, but Smiths Tinder profile indicated he was a woman named Angie.

While that scenario might prove unlikely, Turk is hopeful there are colleges out there that will give Etute a chance.

The law states that juries could not consider such reactions as legitimate justification.

An exam indicated every bone in Smiths face was broken, and he had missing and broken teeth. Czernicki also testified to finding impressions of a shoe on Smiths face that would have required at least two blows.

Jerry Paul Smith was allegedly beaten to death by Isimemen Etute.

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 David Etute at the end of his trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg on Friday. He graduated high school early to start at Virginia Tech in January.

You dont need to be close to this to be affected by this. Isimemen David Etute and defense attorney Jimmy Turk hug at the conclusion of the trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg earlier this year.



Jensen pointed out the differences in his statements and possible moments where he could have simply left Smiths apartment May 31.



Hes going to get his life back, and Im hopeful, Turk said.

According to Tharp, the fluid was evidence of Smith inhaling his own blood after the attack. 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.

2023 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Etute and his parents headed home for Virginia Beach on Saturday morning to take a deep breath.. Etute has been charged with second-degree murder. Turk laid out his case Wednesday for granting bond for the suspect, having Etute and his mother take the stand.

Ismemen Etute is seen on a Fox 46 broadcast. The Commonwealths Attorney says the two first met April 10 for oral sex, and Etute didnt realize Smith was a man until they met again May 31.

An exam indicated every bone in Smiths face was broken, and he had missing and broken teeth. The best insights from the ultimate insiders. 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.

The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict around 6:30 p.m., The Roanoke Times reported. Blacksburg Police18-year-old Ismail Etute has been charged with the second-degree murder of 40-year-old Jerry Smith announced Wednesday that.



Former player Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty of a charge of second-degree murder in the 2021 death of Jerry Smith, 40, of Blacksburg. Etute, rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN, has been involved in other law enforcement-related incidents, according to reports. While Etutes information ison the football teams website, notNBC affiliate WSLS of Roanokedefans reports that he is a top-notch player.

Federal documents also name two other Virginia Tech football players investigators believe were with Etute when he met with the Blacksburg man he is accused of beating to death. Blacksburg Police continues to lead this ongoing investigation, and the university will assist law enforcement agencies working the case in any way it can. In the case of a felony arrest, the university has the authority to place a student on immediate interim suspension. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. "They can be extremely useful, but they can be extremely dangerous. Do I? Norman Eisen, lawyer and House Judiciary Committee cocounsel in Trumps first impeachment trial, argues that Braggs case is strong. In previous court hearings, Etutes attorney, Jimmy Turk, provided some details about the apparent link between the suspect and the victim. Turk laid out his case Wednesday for granting bond for the suspect, having Etute and his mother take the stand.

AuthoritiesEtute and the victim were familiar, but did not provide further details.

Im truly sorry for my actions.. Webhow much did the simple life family get paid Fathom News Etute said he punched Smith five times and kicked him to gain time to escape the apartment. Etute also said in court hed never been in trouble.



Those in the Virginia Tech community who need assistance or counseling support may contact: Virginia Tech demonstrates impact as a global land grant progressing sustainability in our community, through the Commonwealth of Virginia, and around the world.

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.

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Information from the Blacksburg Police Department may be found at the Town of Blacksburg website. In his testimony Thursday, Etute had testified that Smith reached for what Etute thought was a gun.

Multiple Virginia Tech spokespersons declined comment Saturday about the verdict.

Turks eldest daughter Lindsey, who had never seen her father argue a case, said the closing argument was the best speech she had ever heard. Czernicki testified that Smith coughed up the blood all over the closet door after falling to the ground.

Theyre related to the May 31, 2021 death of a 40-year-old Blacksburg man, Jerry Smith.

He referred questions to his boss, Commonwealths Attorney Mary Pettitt.