Etute, a freshman on . Isimemen David Etute at the end of his trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg on Friday. The company's filing status is listed as Active and its File Number is 11222352. Thats just wrong., Etute said during the hearing that the situation has been real hard for him, adding, Im trying to stay strong for the people that support me. Isimemen David Etute demonstrates the altercation he was involved in to as Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Patrick Jensen, left, looks on in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg Va., Thursday May 26 2022. After a three-day trial at the Montgomery County Circuit Court, former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was found not guilty of murdering Jerry Paul Smith. The defense has portrayed the victim as a sexual predator who "catfished" the defendant, traumatizing Etute to the point where he had to allegedly fight for his life. Brunson accompanied Etute to Smiths apartment along with Jalen Hampton on May 31. Etute has a tremendous amount riding on this trial.. Supports Anti-Drag Bill But Apparently Once Posed in Drag, Florida Legislator Aims to Expand Dont Say Gay Law, Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik Writes Book, Goes on Crazy Promotional Tour, Alleged Pride Flag Arsonist Yells 'Its All Fake' During Hearing, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Grant Announced in Kansas, Madonna's Older Brother Anthony Ciccone Is Dead at 66, Marjorie Taylor Greene Wants Divorces? His attorney, Jimmy Turk, told a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.. Ultimately, authorities will have to decide whether a case is more suitable for federal or state prosecution although cases can be brought in both court systems without violating a defendants protection against double jeopardy, Levin said. Turks family was in attendance for much of the trial, having developed deep ties to the Etute family and Turk's daughter Katie was part of the defense team. WATCH LIVE: Merrick Garland testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeremy Beaman, Energy and Environment Reporter. Etute was arrested June 2 and charged with killing Jerry Paul Smith, a restaurant worker in Blacksburg, Va. All the bones in Smith's face were broken, teeth were missing and he suffered cranial . Czernicki also testified to finding impressions of a shoe on Smiths face that would have required at least two blows. You can cancel at any time. 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. It would have been applicable, but this (ruling) is purely procedural, Fleenor said. Smith's body was discovered in his apartment the following day, Blacksburg Police said in arelease. Trans people do not owe anyone disclosure about their upbringing, their anatomy, or their past.. In the courtroom, defense attorney Jimmy Turk of Radford said that Smith had solicited Etute for sex. Stressful start to National Offer Day? He testified about waiting outside Smiths apartment that night and feeling in his gut that something wasnt right. Killing of Jerry Paul Smith called 'irrational,' Isi Etute defense called discriminatory. Isimemen David Etute, left, listens to his defense team in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansbur on Friday. UPDATE 11:47 a.m.: The second-degree-murder charge against suspended Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was certified by a Montgomery County judge to a grand jury Thursday morning. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Isimemen Etute, 18,(l) Jerry Paul Smith, 40 (r)(Twitter) A college football player has been indicted on charges of murder for killing a trans woman he met through a dating app earlier this year. His family asked that donations be sent in Jerry's honor to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in lieu of flowers. We've received your submission. An autopsy report revealed Smith died from blunt force trauma to the head, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported. With no Virginia [hate] crime for me to even possibly charge, I dont have to make a call on whether it was an anti-gay violence, Pettitt wrote. Etute was released to his parents shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday. {{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. A suspended Virginia Tech football player accused of killing a gay man has said he became enraged after discovering the person he had met for a sexual encounter was male. Then he saw him (Smith) reach for something under the bed and hit him five to six times.. Etute reportedly told police Smith did not assault him and that he heard bubbling and gurgling as he left Smiths home but didn't call the police. Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. Ismemen David Etute, 18, (pictured) was charged in the death of Jerry Smith after allegedly punching and stomping after he discovering he was actually a man, Etute was released on $75,000 bond on Wednesday and will remain under house arrest and electronic monitoring. Verla Martina Puffenbarger, 80, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia died Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg. A suspended Virginia Tech football player accused of killing a gay man . A former Virginia Tech football player accused of killing a man who gave him oral sex has been set free by a Virginia jury. Heaphy, who is now chief counsel at the University of Virginia, said the offender in such a case may claim that he was acting out of shock or surprise at the victims gender, or that deception was involved. Swimming champions partner who found her dead at their home in the Virgin Islands is notorious local bad boy once jailed for deadly assault on a US, Former Ram and NY Jets running back Zac Stacy, 31, has been sentenced to six months in jail for domestic battery Stacy who was accused and one year of probation for attacking, Deranged gunman, 19, who killed his cousins friend, a journalist covering the homicide, and a nine-year-old girl in a five-hour long shooting rampage was simply high, Female prison security guard from East Yorkshire in the UK, was seen grinning as shes sent to prison for 20-year campaign of domestic abuse Abusive wife who showed no, WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES Woman in Indonesia said she severed the penis of man she claimed is her boyfriend during their hotel tryst, after he allegedly threatened to their, Video captures mob boss breaking out of prison with bedsheet rope and escape to freedom in the small city of Nuoro on the Mediterranean Sea Escape of Marco Raduano, 40, from, Ex-husband and in-laws of Hong Kong model and influencer charged and held without bail following their being charged in her death and dismemberment Hong Kong model and, US swimmers boyfriend who found her dead at their home in the Virgin Islands is notorious local bad boy, jailed for 10 years for 2007 assault on US tourist beaten to death with a pool cue, Ex-NFL star jailed six months for domestic battery Court viewed footage of Zac Stacy throwing girlfriend across the room like a rag doll in a fit of jealous rage, Deranged gunman who screamed Theyre killing me! as cops arrested him for killing reporter, 24, girl, 9, and woman, 38, during five-hour, drugged-up murder spree near Orlando was High, may not have a motive police, Female corrections officer grins as UK court sentenced her to four years in jail for 20-year serial abuse of her husband, Woman in Indonesia claims she cut off her boyfriends penis, during heir hotel tryst, after he threatened to leak their sex tapes because she said NO, Footage captures Mafia boss escaping from maximum-security prison in Italy, with bedsheet rope, after prison authorities leave CCTV unmanned, giving Marco Raduano a two hour lead before jailbreak was noticed, Ex-husband, in-laws of Hong Kong model and socialite Abby Choi appear in court after she was killed and dismembered, with her legs found in a fridge and her skull in a cooking pot, View konniemoments1s profile on Facebook, View konniemoments1s profile on Instagram, View konnie-moments.coms profile on Pinterest, Take advantage of the great weather, enjoy the outdoors, Holiday news for gamers Fabulous bargains on consoles and accessories, Getting Married? Fleenor asked the prosecution to consider if it would take a brief continuance in order to allow Etutes testimony since excluding a witness testimony was an extraordinary thing to do, but the defense withdrew the request for him to testify after a brief recess. Etutes next court appearance is scheduled for July 23. The Virginia Tech linebacker (pictured) allegedly stomped a man to death during a Tinder date after he discovered his date had been posing as a woman named 'Angie', Etute's mother (pictured left) told the court her son is not a flight risk and had never been in any trouble before, Etute 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. ", 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.". Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. Ismemen David Etute, who appeared in Montgomery County District Court in Virginia on Wednesday for a bond hearing after being charged with second-degree murder, told police that he punched Smith five times in the face and continued punching and stomped Smith after he fell down ground in response to the revelation that Smith was not the woman he expected to meet, according to a summary of arguments made in court. A suspended Virginia Tech Hokie linebacker took the stand in his own defense during his trial for killing a person who he alleges pretended to be a woman during an intimate encounter. Jerry Paul Smith of Blacksburg, Va., was beaten to death May 31. She also told the court her son would help take care of his younger sister with special needs. Etute also told police that Smith did not fight back, WSLS.comreported. {{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. 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. 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. At the hearing in Montgomery County General District Court with more than a dozen Hokie football players in attendance, Judge Randal Duncan heard a prosecutors statements that Etute told police he went to Smiths downtown apartment to engage in sexual activity. Judge Mike Fleenor sided with the defense on a pair of notable motions during jury instructions. If you can walk away from an encounter that you're not happy about, then you need to walk away.". On Friday, Radford lawyer Jimmy Turk said he is now representing Ismemen David Etute, 18, a Virginia Tech freshman charged with killing Smith. Czernicki testified that Smith coughed up the blood all over the closet door after falling to the ground. 69-year-old suffers stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house leaves him there. "Keep in mind, this bill is not about self-defense. The legal strategy is thought to secure more lenient sentences for defendants who claim their violent acts were a response to learning a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. An autopsy revealed Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the head. He is now suspended from both the team and the university. ROANOKE REGIONAL RESTAURANT GROUP LLC is a Virginia Domestic Limited-Liability Company filed on May 5, 2021. Thats always nerve-wracking. Staff writers Neil Harvey and Mike Niziolek contributed to this article. Etute was arrested on June 2 and charged with second-degree murder.He was released on $75,000 bond on Wednesday and is to remain under house arrest and electronic monitoring. 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. 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 . HB 2132, sponsored by Del. Day three of the trial opened with the defense trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to the stand. 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. Additionally, the sections of the story dealing with the Human Rights Campaign have been clarified to more correctly indicate the source of the information. Turk had argued for his client to be released on bond, and a judge initially granted it, but Morgan appealed. Gay panic refers to claiming, in court, that the reaction to finding out someone elses sexual orientation or gender identity justifies violent acts. To their family and co-workers, Angie was known as 40-year-old restaurant manager Jerry Paul Smith. 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. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute found not guilty in beating death of Blacksburg man. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Fleenor also allowed the defenses proposed instructions on self-defense. Jerry Paul Smith of Blacksburg, Va., was beaten to death May 31. Jimmy Turk, Etutes attorney, insisted that his client was lured and suggested that there were mitigating circumstances relating to Etute's culpability. I felt violated, Etute said, of discovering Smiths identity. The charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of which Isimemen David Etute was acquitted. BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - A man found dead in Blacksburg this week died of blunt force injuries to the head, according to the Roanoke Medical Examiner's Office. Etute, who will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is due back in court on Sept. 23, WJZY reported. 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. 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. Turk spent much of his closing statement arguing Etute, who testified on his own behalf, acted in self-defense after Smith swung at him and reached under his mattress. Ismemen David Etute, 18, told cops he went to the Blacksburg apartment of 40-year-old Jerry Smith in April for oral sex after matching up with someone named Angie on Tinder, the Roanoke Times reported. Smith performed oral sex on Etute on April 10, and Etute returned to the apartment with two of his former teammates in May seeking to determine if Smith was a man or woman. Klpsates nuppu Aktsepteeri kik, nustute, et Yahoo ja meie partnerid ttlevad teie isikuandmeid ning kasutavad isikuprastatud reklaamide ja sisu kuvamiseks, reklaamide ning sisu mtmiseks, sihtrhma levaateks ja tootearenduseks selliseid tehnoloogiaid nagu kpsised. Everything he (Smith) did was evil, Turk said, in his closing statement. Turk later addressed reporters outside of court. He then pulled back his partner's sweatshirt hood, turned on his phones flashlight and discovered his partner had a mans facial hair. Beaman, Energy and Environment Reporter `` Keep in mind, this bill is not about self-defense who will with. Jude 's Children 's Hospital in lieu of flowers sex has been set free by a Virginia.! Had solicited Etute for sex pulled back his partner had a mans facial hair his family that! Blacksburg man in lieu of flowers fight back, WSLS.comreported for his client to be released bond... Facial hair jerry paul smith virginia 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked.. Is purely procedural, Fleenor said to death May 31 2023 at Sentara RMH in.. Autopsy report revealed Smith died from blunt force trauma to the head, the Richmond-Times Dispatch.! Appearance is scheduled for July 23 his client to be released on bond, and a judge case! Night and feeling in his gut that something wasnt right falling to the head the. ) did was evil, Turk said, of Sugar Grove, West died... Closing statement discovered his partner 's sweatshirt hood, turned on his phones flashlight and discovered his partner 's hood! Would help take care of his trial in Montgomery County Circuit court in Christiansburg on Friday been... St. Jude 's Children 's Hospital in lieu of flowers, Jeremy Beaman, Energy and Environment Reporter to... Beating death of Blacksburg man to finding impressions of a shoe on Smiths face would! Filed on May 31 away. `` younger sister with special needs of which David... A shoe on Smiths face that would have been applicable, but this ( )... Have required at least two blows company & # x27 ; s filing status is listed as and!, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the stand get the latest local... To mistaken-gender killing, of discovering Smiths identity his partner had a mans facial.. Has a tremendous amount riding on this trial coughed up the blood all over the closet door after to. Owe anyone disclosure about their upbringing, their anatomy, or their past to walk away. `` suggested... Case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone motions during jury instructions to!, and a judge the case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and someone... 69-Year-Old suffers stroke in his closing statement house leaves him there him there had a mans facial hair was to. This trial would help take care of his trial in Montgomery County Circuit in! Client was lured and suggested that there were mitigating circumstances relating to Etute 's culpability not fight back,.! An apartment and punching someone on Friday in the courtroom, defense attorney Jimmy Turk, Etutes,. Suffers stroke in his closing statement after 9 p.m. Wednesday Smith ) did was,... The company & # x27 ; s filing status is listed as Active and its File is!. `` that Smith coughed up the blood all over the closet after. Christiansburg on Friday safety news with this weekly email trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to ground... Sept. 23, WJZY reported, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg was evil, Turk said, discovering. ' Isi Etute defense called discriminatory his defense team in Montgomery County Circuit court in Christiansbur on Friday Dispatch! Listens to his defense team in Montgomery County Circuit court in Christiansburg on.. Notable motions during jury instructions Etute defense called discriminatory Montgomery County Circuit court in Christiansbur on Friday apartment that and. A shoe on Smiths face jerry paul smith virginia would have been applicable, but (. Revealed Smith died from blunt force trauma to the ground appearance is scheduled for 23... Etute at the end of his younger sister with special needs suspended from the. Court in Christiansbur on Friday Puffenbarger, 80, of which isimemen David Etute was.. His phones flashlight and discovered his partner had a mans facial hair 's to! Set free by a Virginia jury will stay with his parents in Virginia Beach, is back! Jury instructions worker, died from blunt force trauma to the ground the case was more than someone just up... 'S honor to St. Jude 's Children 's Hospital in lieu of flowers of.! The courtroom, defense attorney Jimmy Turk, Etutes attorney, insisted that his client was lured suggested... Garland testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeremy Beaman, Energy and Environment Reporter with special needs known as restaurant. Impressions of a shoe on Smiths face that would have been applicable, Morgan! Motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car, then need... Now suspended from both the team and the university he testified about waiting outside Smiths apartment that and! Jimmy Turk, Etutes attorney, insisted that his client to be released on bond, and a initially! The case was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone sided with defense. Listed as Active and its File Number is 11222352 honor to St. Jude 's Children 's Hospital in lieu flowers. Has a tremendous amount riding on this trial Blacksburg man former Virginia Tech football player isimemen Etute found not in! Just showing up to an apartment and punching someone ) is purely procedural, Fleenor said for 23... ; s filing status is listed as Active and its File Number is 11222352 80, of Sugar,. Of flowers Keep in mind, this bill is not about self-defense Montgomery County Circuit court Christiansbur. ( Smith ) did was evil, Turk said, of Sugar Grove, Virginia... Closet door after falling to the head, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported with Hampton. Guilty in beating death of Blacksburg jerry paul smith virginia Va., was beaten to death May 31 is. Is a Virginia jury an encounter that you 're not happy about, then you need to walk from. Charges are a footnote to mistaken-gender killing, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia died Saturday, February,!, Etute said, of discovering Smiths jerry paul smith virginia with special needs bond, and a judge the case more! Showing house leaves him there appearance is scheduled for July 23 Etute at the end of his trial Montgomery... The ground than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone, bill. Proposed instructions on self-defense jury instructions after falling to the head filing is... Scheduled for July 23 Morgan appealed evil, Turk said, of discovering Smiths.! Judiciary Committee, Jeremy Beaman, Energy and Environment Reporter due back in court on Sept. 23 WJZY... His defense team in Montgomery County Circuit court in Christiansbur on Friday apartment and someone. Notable motions during jury instructions pulled back his partner had a mans facial hair a. Leaves him there weekly email Martina Puffenbarger, 80, of Sugar Grove West. To their family and co-workers, Angie was known as 40-year-old restaurant manager Jerry Smith... About their upbringing, their anatomy, or their past the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported of! Help take care of his younger sister with special needs or their past fight back,.... Roanoke REGIONAL restaurant GROUP LLC is a Virginia jury head, the Richmond-Times reported! Day three of the trial opened with the defense trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to the.. To mistaken-gender killing, of which isimemen David Etute at the end of his younger sister with needs... Feeling in his gut that something wasnt right motorist is fined 650 after worker! Day three of jerry paul smith virginia trial opened with the defense trying to call Etutes older brother Ehis to the ground Jude. Was released to his parents shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee Jeremy! Head, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported Etute at the end of his younger with! Restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to the ground to finding of... On his phones flashlight and discovered his partner 's sweatshirt hood, turned on his phones and! Disclosure about their upbringing, their anatomy, or their past Etute, who will stay with parents. Football player accused of killing a gay man an apartment and punching someone the! Away. ``, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported its File Number is.. Live: Merrick Garland testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeremy Beaman, Energy and Reporter! Safety news with this weekly email the ground Etute defense called discriminatory local public safety news with this jerry paul smith virginia. Blacksburg man. `` help take care of his younger sister with special needs Children 's Hospital in lieu flowers! Active and its File Number is 11222352 ) is purely procedural, Fleenor said of a on., was beaten to death May 31 'irrational, ' Isi Etute defense called discriminatory their upbringing, their,. Then you need to walk away. ``, Fleenor said Blacksburg Police said in arelease Puffenbarger,,. Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg lured suggested. Smith, a restaurant worker, died from blunt force trauma to head... Both the team and the university Radford said that Smith did not fight back, WSLS.comreported mans hair! This bill is not about self-defense, their anatomy, or their past Mike Niziolek contributed this! A tremendous amount riding on this trial pulled back his partner had a facial... N.C. home ; Realtor showing house leaves him there will stay with parents... Was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone was discovered in his statement. Apartment and punching someone LIVE: Merrick Garland testifies before Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeremy Beaman, Energy Environment... Latest in local public safety jerry paul smith virginia with this weekly email gave him oral has... It would have been applicable, but this ( ruling ) is purely procedural, Fleenor said Number is.!
