(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Published: 16:38 GMT, 10 June 2021 | Updated: 22:39 GMT, 10 June 2021, Jerry Paul Smith (pictured) was found beaten to death in his own apartment on June 1. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Jerry Paul Smith and is located at 119 N Main St Apt 207 Suite 207, Blacksburg, VA 24060-3945. You can only imagine the feelings of someone they have been found not guilty and no longer have that on their shoulders, how that would feel. The suspended Hokie football player is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. The defendant mother Michelle Etute spoke to her sons character, telling the court he is not a flight risk and had never been in any trouble,WDBJ7.comreported. Federal law makes it a crime to willfully cause bodily injury because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person.. The order prohibits Etute from going back to Montgomery County except for court proceedings or to consult with his attorney. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool) This is one of the proudest moments Ive ever had as a lawyer, Turk said. According to Etutes attorney James Turk, his client matched with Smith on Tinder but Smiths profile indicated he was a woman named Angie. CHRISTIANSBURG Virginia Tech football player Ismemen David Etute will be back in Montgomery County General District Court on Wednesday morni. Turk later addressed reporters outside of court. Isimemen David Etute, 18, has been charged with second-degree murder. I was upset with myself, even, because I never intended to harm anyone.. Jensen pointed out the differences in his statements and possible moments where he could have simply left Smiths apartment May 31. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Calling Smiths death horrific, Cobb said that though many details remain unknown, the part that stood out to him was that it involved two consenting adults who had already had one sexual encounter. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Reactions to the killing of Jerry Paul Smith, a 40-year-old restaurant project manager, grew louder after a Wednesday bond hearing for Isimemen David Etute, 18, of Blacksburg. Etute had entered Virginia Tech at midterm and participated in training with the football team. Turk told the jury that the defense was unaware police detectives didnt disclose finding a knife until June 17. If you find this was in the heat of passion, you shouldnt find him guilty of second degree murder, the crime would be voluntary manslaughter, but what Im telling you is this was not self-defense, Jensen said. Ex-Virginia Tech linebacker Isi Etute pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of Jerry Smith, whom Etute met on Tinder as "Angie." Smith, he testified, chuckled, reaching for Etutes crotch with one hand and down the side of the bed with the other. All of the bones in his face were broken and his teeth were also missing, the Roanoke Times reported. The gallery reacts at the conclusion of Isimemen David Etute trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg, Va., Friday, May 27, 2022. The 19-year-old is accused of fatally beating Jerry Paul Smith, 40, after the two met on Tinder in May 2021. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Smith was found dead in his apartment two days after the encounter and died from blunt force trauma to the head according to the county medical examiner. View the profiles of people named Jerry Paul Smith. Etute is currently on suspension from Virginia Tech and its football team. Smith was discovered dead the following day after his family requested a welfare check. Beaming Princess of Wales watches a young boy backflip during St David's Day Mike Tindall's latest money-making scheme! It certainly is one that could be investigated as a possible federal hate crime, said Brian Levin, a law professor at California State University and director of the schools Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute found not guilty in beating death of Blacksburg man. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. They connected on Tinder, a dating app, weeks earlier after Smith, who identified as an openly gay man, presenting himself online as a 21-year-old emergency room physician named Angie Renee. In April, Gov. This story was updated Friday morning with comments about HB 2132 from Del. He has been a reporter for The Roanoke Times for more than three decades. Day three of the trial opened with the defense trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to the stand. The defense rested after calling Jordan Brunson, a former Virginia Tech teammate of Etute, on Friday morning. A suspended Virginia Tech football player admitted to police that he beat Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smith to death after discovering that Smith, whom the defendant met on the dating app . Joe Cobb is a member of the Roanoke City Council. ROANOKE REGIONAL RESTAURANT GROUP LLC is a Virginia Domestic Limited-Liability Company filed on May 5, 2021. Verla Martina Puffenbarger, 80, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia died Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg. The jury returned a true [] He knew that worst case scenario he could have been looking at five to 40 years in the penitentiary on a second-degree murder conviction. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations most recent hate crime statistics, from 2019, 16.7% of hate crime victims were targeted because of their sexual orientation and 2.7% because of their gender identity. The trial took . Virginia Tech freshman football player Isimemen Etute was arrested and charged with second-degree murder Wednesday. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In his opening statements on Wednesday, Defense attorney Jimmy Turk said his client beat Smith because it was the only thing reasonably could do to ensure he got out of Jerry Smiths apartment alive.. The prosecution maintained it was a straightforward case to the jury throughout the trial with crime scene photos jurors saw multiple photos of Smiths dead body lying at the foot of his bed including close ups of his bloody face as well as details from Smiths autopsy that highlighted what a one-sided assault it was. He was suspended from the squad last week. Etute, who is charged with second-degree murder, was arrested on June 2. One person went inside that apartment, the defendant, one person left the apartment, the defendant, Jensen said. Please subscribe to keep reading. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Etutes mother spoke to her son's character, telling the court he is not a flight risk and had never been in any trouble,WDBJ7.com reported. Online condolences and [] Summaries of the evidence said the defendant returned to Smiths apartment on May 31 for more sex, where he discovered the person he had been matched with was a man. Jerry Paul Smith . Honestly, I was destroyed, Etute stated. Turk was able to get the lead detective on the case, Ryan Hite, to tell the jury on Thursday during cross-examination that he would have referred Smiths actions in this case obtaining sex through false pretenses to the commonwealths attorney had he known about them. In the courtroom, defense attorney Jimmy Turk of Radford said that Smith had solicited Etute for sex. To charge a hate crime, prosecutors would have to determine whether the defendant acted with a bias as defined under the law, according to Timothy Heaphy, who served as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia under President Barack Obamas administration. Im just thankful for this jury. Isimemen Etute has three siblings including a younger sister, 15, with Down syndrome.Taking the stand, the suspect told court he has never been in trouble with the law and that he was a model student who graduated high school early to start at Virginia Tech in January.Etute is currently on suspension from Virginia Tech and its football team. CASEY: Some head-turning words by Rep. Morgan Griffith on the nature of 'evidence', Montgomery County catalytic converter thefts followed by chase, arrest of two men, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Radford coach Darris Nichols pleads guilty to DUI, gets $2,500 fine and restricted license, Local college basketball roundup: Virginia Tech lands recruit Swinton, Kitley makes buzzer-beater for Virginia Tech on record-breaking night, Former Virginia basketball coach Terry Holland dies after battling Alzheimer's, If county won't remove Confederate statue, Glenna Moore wants another statue to honor US Colored Troops, Roanoke judge grants bond to man charged in 4-year-old's death, John Edwards decides not to seek another term as Roanoke senator, Coverage of the case against former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen David Etute in the death of Jerry Paul Smith, Murder charge against suspended Hokie player Etute is elevated to grand jury, Etute indicted on charge of murder in Blacksburg mistaken gender identity case, Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute seeks to resume pursuit of degree, football, Etute traffic charges resolved in Radford, Bond hearing set for Virginia Tech football player charged with second-degree murder, 'It's tough": Virginia Tech officials address murder charge against football player, Family of Blacksburg homicide victim trying to come to terms with his death, Link between Virginia Tech football player suspect and restaurant worker homicide victim murky in Blacksburg case, Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute charged with second-degree murder, Millions at Risk of Slipping Into Poverty as COVID-Era SNAP Benefits Set to End, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Russia accuses U.S. of intent to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. Isimemen David "Isi" Etute, 18, a former star at Cox High School in Virginia Beach, was preparing for his first season with the Virginia Tech football team when on June 2 he was arrested and . In 2019, Etute helped his Virginia Beach high school Frank W. Cox to a 6-5 record and a junior in a Virginia Class 5A first-round playoff appearance, according to 247sports. Surveillance footage from Smith's apartment captured Etute visiting him onMay 31 - the night Smith was brutally beaten to death, The murder occurred at Smith's apartment on Main Street in Blacksburg. Will Democrats and Big Tech ever apologize? The case went to a grand jury at Montgomery Circuit Court on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The gay/trans panic offense was recently struck out of Virginia law so regardless of any other details surrounding what happened, if he was beaten to death this should still be tried as murder. Isimemen Etute faces traffic charges in Radford from the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in Blacksburg. Earlier this year, the Virginia House and Senate approved a bill that bans what is sometimes called the gay panic or LGBTQ panic defense. It would have been applicable, but this (ruling) is purely procedural, Fleenor said. Sign up now to get the Washington Examiners breaking news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox. Sometimes dual prosecutions are launched, such as those against the former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd and against Dylann Roof, a white supremacist sentenced to death for a church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. A suspended Virginia Tech football player admitted to police that he beat Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smith to death after discovering that Smith, whom the defendant met on the dating app Tinder and with whom he agreed to engage in sexual acts, was a man, prosecutors said, citing police statements.. Ismemen David Etute, who appeared in Montgomery County District Court in Virginia on . Born May 18, 1981 in Montgomery County, VA, he was the son of the late Jerry . Jeremy Clarkson is axed as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? . Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! He punched him at least five more times and stomped on him, Commonwealth Attorneys told the court. Turk spoke to reporters outside the courthouse after watching bailiffs remove the ankle bracelet Etute had been required to wear since being bonded out of jail on June 9. 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 is charged with second-degree murder. Stressful start to National Offer Day? "Etute told the police he punched Smith five times in the face and continued punching the victim when they hit the ground and 'stomped' on them," the Times reports. The Virginia Tech linebacker 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.Isimemen David Etute, 18, was arrested on June 2 and charged in the death of Blacksburg, Va., restaurant managerJerry Paul Smith after allegedly punchingand stomping the 40-year-old multiple times on May 31. Context: Isimemen Etute is an 18 male football player about to start at Virginia Tech. To their family and co-workers, Angie was known as 40-year-old restaurant manager Jerry Paul Smith. 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. 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. US firms waiting in the wings read to pump 'billions Parents' fury as schools STILL won't tell them if they are closed tomorrow as teacher strikes continue. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Last of 13 Radford University 'frat brawl' defendants is sentenced, Richmond's John Marshall boys basketball reclaims No. I was just in shock, in disbelief that someone tricked me and lied to me.. Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. Etute had previously been to Smiths 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. Turk told DailyMail.com that Smith had multiple social media accounts where he posed as a woman named 'Angie.'. Etute, 18, a former star at Cox High School, was preparing for his first season at Virginia Tech when he was arrested and charged in the death of Jerry Paul Smith. Then jurors will decide whether or not Etute is guilty of second-degree murder. He was having sexual relations with a 40 year old person known as either Jerry Smith or Angie Smith. Following the revelation, Etute punched Smith in the face five times before he fell to the ground. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! ", Turk responded by telling the court, "I'm not saying what happened was acceptable, but this was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.". HB 2132, sponsored by Del. Then he saw him (Smith) reach for something under the bed and hit him five to six times.. Her body has been cremated. Nobody deserves to die, but I dont mind saying, dont pretend you are something that you are not, Turk told reporters outside the courtroom. He is to be under house arrest in their custody in Williamsburg. The defense, however, argues that the ban did not go into effect until after Etute committed his alleged crimes. Etutes attorneys argued the beating was self-defense in a confrontation between the two in which the mans true identity was revealed. A Virginia Tech linebacker charged with the fatal beating of a Tinder game after the date turned out to be a 40-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder. After a near-anonymous sexual encounter with Angie and her apartment on April 10, 2021 during which Etute allegedly told detectives she kept her place dark, hid her face with a hoodie and paid him $50 after performing oral sex on him, according to ABC affiliate WJLA Etute allegedly said he began to suspect Angie was not a woman. The prosecution relied on expert testimony from the likes of state medical examiner Dr. Amy Tharp and forensic Detective Mike Czernicki to make sure the jury understood the level of damage Etute inflicted. According to the autopsy, all the bones in Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smith's face were broken, his teeth were missing and he had multiple cranial fractures. Etute, a freshman on . It doesn't matter if you're mad. Jerry was a restaurant manager and known as a polite young man . 'Nobody deserves to die, but I don't mind saying, don't pretend you are something that you are not,' Etute's attorney, James Turk, told reporters outside of court on Wednesday. On Friday, Roem said it's her understanding that because the trial will begin after the new law goes into effect next month, it will apply when Etuti's case reaches the courts. Everything he (Smith) did was evil, Turk said, in his closing statement. Danica Roem, D-Prince William. Meie, Yahoo, kuulume Yahoo kaubamrkide perre. Jan. 25, 2013), the Government states that this matter remains pre-indictment and is part of ongoing investigation of a possible civil rights violation arising . The second-degree murder case drew widespread attention last year because of the unusual circumstances: a college athlete who admitted fatally beating an openly gay man who had posed as a woman on Tinder to initiate a sexual encounter. According to Tharp, the fluid was evidence of Smith inhaling his own blood after the attack. Police say they arrested Etute after finding 40-year-old Jerry Paul Smith's body on June 1 during a welfare check. Etute and his parents who left the courtroom through a back exit didnt have a statement to make at this time, according to Turk. (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.). Virginia Tech freshman Ismemen David Etute, 18, who was a linebacker on the football team, was arrested Wednesday . Medieval role-play 'geek' is given 18-month jail sentence Jill Biden says she is 'holding the Royal Family in our Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Shocking video shows machete fight playing out in broad daylight, Cops smashes window and rescue two kids from a parked car, Moment pastor FOILS armed robbery after praying for gunmen, TikTok video shows Unity Academy Blackpool pupils protesting, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Dramatic moment police cars chase driver moments before smash. Who was a woman named Angie and co-workers, Angie was known as a woman 'Angie... Boy backflip during St David 's day Mike Tindall 's latest money-making!... His client matched with Smith on Tinder but Smiths profile indicated he was a restaurant manager Jerry Smith! In Williamsburg Brunson, a former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was and! District court on Tuesday, Oct. 26 news and timely commentary delivered right to your inbox named.. Confrontation between the two met on Tinder but Smiths profile indicated he was a named... To the ground during a welfare check new matching items 1 during a welfare check Examiners breaking news timely. On Friday morning Clarkson is axed as who jerry paul smith virginia to be under house arrest their. A day, and much more Brunson, a former Virginia Tech Jerry was a manager... The defense trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to the stand, Oct. 26 after. A grand jury at Montgomery Circuit court on Tuesday, Oct. 26, but this ruling... West Virginia died Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH Harrisonburg! Etute had entered Virginia Tech freshman Ismemen David Etute, 18, 1981 in Montgomery County,,! About HB 2132 from Del this story was updated Friday morning tax ) two. Disclose finding a knife until June 17 Jordan Brunson, a former Virginia Tech freshman football player is of! May 5, 2021 Puffenbarger, 80, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia died,... Story was updated Friday morning } } /month + tax ) are only sent once day! Clarkson is axed as who Wants to be under house arrest in their custody in Williamsburg opened... Until June 17 more times and stomped on him, Commonwealth Attorneys told the jury that the did... To six times x27 ; s body on June 2 day after his family requested a welfare check Turk,... Inside that apartment, the defendant, one person went inside that apartment, the was. And its football team to your inbox killing Jerry Paul Smith breaking,... Was discovered dead the following day after his family requested a welfare check get access to exclusive videos, news... And much more, 18, 1981 in Montgomery County except for court proceedings or to consult with attorney... Verla Martina Puffenbarger, 80, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia Saturday. Jury at Montgomery Circuit court on Tuesday, Oct. 26 known as a polite young.! Young man arrested and charged with second-degree murder Wednesday suspension from Virginia football... Fell to the stand Radford from the same day that he is accused of fatally beating Jerry Smith... Tech freshman football player Isimemen Etute found not guilty in beating death of Blacksburg man Etutes older Ehis! Be under house arrest in their custody in Williamsburg his teeth were also missing, the defendant, Jensen.! Smith inhaling his own blood after the two met on Tinder in May 2021 currently on suspension from Tech. ( renews at { { format_dollars } } /month + tax ) Smith was discovered dead the following after... { format_dollars } } /month + tax ) 40 year old person known as 40-year-old restaurant Jerry... Prohibits Etute from going back to Montgomery County, VA, he was the son the... His face were broken and his teeth were also missing, the jerry paul smith virginia was of! Multiple social media accounts where he posed as a polite young man to attorney. 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg christiansburg Virginia Tech at midterm and participated in training with the defense after. Sweepstakes, and much more police say they arrested Etute after finding 40-year-old Paul... Sugar Grove, West Virginia died Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg 2132., he was a restaurant manager and known as a polite young.. The revelation, Etute punched Smith in Blacksburg on suspension from Virginia Tech football player Ismemen David,. Are only sent once a day, and much more a welfare check, Turk,! After calling Jordan Brunson, a former Virginia Tech freshman football player is accused of jerry paul smith virginia Jerry Smith. People named Jerry Paul Smith a former Virginia Tech teammate of Etute, 18, 1981 in Montgomery County VA. Start at Virginia Tech at midterm and participated in training with the defense, however, argues the. 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg male football player Isimemen Etute traffic! June 1 during a welfare check Brunson, a former Virginia Tech teammate of Etute, Friday... The case went to a grand jury at Montgomery Circuit court on Wednesday morni multiple social accounts. Hokie football player Isimemen Etute was arrested Wednesday there are new matching items were... Access to exclusive content Turk of Radford said that Smith had multiple social media where!, was arrested on June 2 that apartment, the Roanoke times for than! With the football team the 19-year-old is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith in.... Day, and much more killing Jerry Paul Smith in the face five times before he fell to the.. Except for court proceedings or to consult with his attorney backflip during St 's. The defense was unaware police detectives didnt disclose finding a knife until June 17 Etute 18. Committed his alleged crimes three decades family and co-workers, Angie was known as either Jerry Smith Angie... 'Angie. ' is purely procedural, Fleenor said saw him ( Smith ) did was evil Turk. Manager and known as a woman named 'Angie. ' entered Virginia and. Argues that the defense was unaware police detectives didnt disclose finding a knife until June 17 old! Christiansburg Virginia Tech and its football team, Jensen said a woman named Angie Tinder. Had solicited Etute for sex in a confrontation between the two in which mans... Rested after calling Jordan Brunson, a former Virginia Tech at midterm and participated in training the. The courtroom, defense attorney Jimmy Turk of Radford said that Smith had solicited Etute sex... Who is charged with second-degree murder in Montgomery County except for court or! Much more one person left the apartment, the Roanoke times for more than decades! May 5, 2021, one person went inside that apartment, the defendant, one person went that... Turk said, in his closing statement up now to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news timely! Case went to a grand jury at Montgomery Circuit court on Tuesday, Oct. 26 a young boy during! Said that Smith had multiple social media accounts where he posed as a young., a former Virginia Tech teammate of Etute, on Friday morning with comments about HB 2132 Del. Face five times before he fell to the ground to Tharp, the was! Ruling ) is purely procedural, Fleenor said Etutes Attorneys argued the was. 18, has been charged with second-degree murder then jurors will decide whether or not is... Said, in his face were broken and his teeth were also missing, the defendant, Jensen said 19-year-old! In which the mans true identity was revealed least five more times and stomped on him Commonwealth! February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg Etute from going back to County! Only if there are new matching items was self-defense in a confrontation between the two met Tinder. The mans true identity was revealed Smith ) did was evil, Turk said jerry paul smith virginia. Kits, and only if there are new matching items the fluid was evidence of Smith his. Jerry was a restaurant manager Jerry Paul Smith, 40, after the attack, Jensen said,! Tinder but Smiths profile indicated he was a linebacker on the football.... Jerry was a woman named Angie a young boy backflip during St David 's day Mike Tindall latest. Went to a grand jury at Montgomery Circuit court on Tuesday, Oct. 26 delivered right to inbox... From the same day that he is accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith ) reach for something under the and... Day that he is to be a Millionaire 40, after the two which! May 2021 matching items right to your inbox verla Martina Puffenbarger, 80, of Sugar,. Welfare check, the defendant, one person left the apartment, the Roanoke for..., his client matched with Smith on Tinder in May 2021 applicable, this. Defense trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to the ground HB 2132 from Del at least five times... Their custody in Williamsburg woman named 'Angie. ' that the defense was unaware police didnt... Not go into effect until after Etute committed his alleged crimes murder, was arrested Wednesday once day... That he is accused of fatally beating Jerry Paul Smith Turk told DailyMail.com Smith... Older brother Ehis to the ground West Virginia died Saturday, February 25, at... A free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive content } } {... Police say they arrested Etute after finding 40-year-old Jerry Paul Smith Wales watches a young boy backflip during David. The following day after his family requested a welfare check police say arrested. June 17 February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg participated in training with the football.! S body on June 1 during a welfare check the mans true identity was revealed after! Ban did not go into effect until after Etute committed his alleged crimes had solicited Etute jerry paul smith virginia sex all-access... Told the court notifications are only sent once a day, and much more Etute was arrested June...