1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Don't Threaten. You dont need to be close to this to be affected by this. A Virginia man has been acquitted of murder after using what amounted to a gay/trans "panic" defense, outlawed in the state just a month after the victim's death. Hes just not going to be able to argue that [it] gives him a recognized legal defense, said UVA School of Law Professor Anne Coughlin. The law should be disregarded, Etutes lawyers argued, because it didnt go into effect until July 1, about a month after the incident. 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The 19-year-old is accused of fatally beating Jerry Paul Smith, 40, after the two met on Tinder in May 2021. . View the profiles of people named Jerry Paul Smith. I was upset with myself, even, because I never intended to harm anyone.. The commonwealth and defense attorneys are now working to agree on the number of witnesses the defense can bring to the trial. A jury Friday found former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute, 19, not guilty of second-degree murder in the beating death of Jerry Paul Smith,The Roanoke Times reports. Witnesses have been identified and interviewed, and are cooperating with the investigation, police say. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Etute pleaded not guilty to the murder charge during his arraignment last week. If it was a man, I was just going to run out, Etute testified. Enraged, Etute landed blows on Smith and punched him on the face five times, court records say. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Jerry was a restaurant manager and known as a polite young man throughout his life. The trial. The jury will consider a second-degree murder charge against Isimemen Etute, a former. Jerry Paul Smith was killed May 31 at his home in Blacksburg, Va. A medical examiner ruled he died of blunt force trauma to the head; an autopsy further revealed that every bone in his face. Smith was discovered dead the following day after his family requested a welfare check. Judge Mike Fleenor has yet to rule on the defenses motion but said he would do so before jury deliberations. In addition, Etute, a member of the football team, has been suspended from the team, effective immediately. A Montgomery County judge certified on Sept. 23 a charge of second-degree murder of Blacksburg resident Jerry Paul Smith against Isimemen David Etute, suspended Virginia Tech football. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Be Truthful. The attorneys then reached a compromise under which Etute was released on a secured $75,000 bond and will be under house arrest and electronic monitoring, according to the Times. Jurors will be tasked with deciding whether or not the defendant acted in self-defense, as he doesn't deny killing Smith. Referral to a campus cleric may be made through this office. He cant introduce expert testimony about the so-called trans panic.. By passing this bill, this is going to ensure that if that defense is in fact raised in court, that a judge would give instruction to the jury to say that it is not to influence their decision at all in terms of a guilty plea or sentence, Roem said. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use. Etute testified that he had seen Smith reach for a weapon, which Etute thought was a gun -- something Etute did not mention to police when he was arrested last year. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. In a June 9 hearing, prosecutors said Etute, who was at the time a linebacker on the college's football team, told police he punched Smith several times in the face after learning they were not anatomically female. Turk had argued for his client to be released on bond, and a judge initially granted it, but Morgan appealed. person will not be tolerated. Etute explained that he groped his partner, including trying to reach around for the genitals, and something felt off to him. Be Proactive. After that hearing, Turk blamed Smith for what happened in an interview with the Roanoke Times. racist or sexually-oriented language. We no longer allow someone to turn the table on a rape victim.. Smith, who allegedly claimed to be a woman named Angie Renee, offered oral sex to Etute, who agreed and met up with Smith under these pretenses for the first time on April 10, 2021. Roem and Coughlin say judges are responsible for enforcing Virginias ban on the panic defense. He began beating Smith. Etute wiped the blood off the bottom of his shoes before meeting his two friends who were waiting outside Smiths apartment for Etute. Former Virginia Tech LB Isimemen Etute found not guilty on murder charges in death of Blacksburg man Etute was arrested in June 2021 and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jerry Smith Keep it Clean. The company's principal address is 110 Draper Rd Nw, Blacksburg, VA 24060-7402. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries to the head. Once Etute shined his phones flashlight on Smiths face which revealed facial hair and his identity as a man, Etute punched Smith in the face five times and stomped on his head with his foot before leaving. Be Nice. Born May 18, 1981 in Montgomery County, VA, he was the son of the late Jerry. Sick Of Divisive Attacks On Schools? Low 41F. It is unknown if Smith identified as transgender; his family has said he was a gay man. Turk described Etute as a victim, noting that Smith had a history of using a criminal ruse to lure primarily young Black males into sexual enounters. Optima Health Vantage HMO at 866-846-2682, Hokie Wellnessat 540-231-2233 (students) or 540-231-8878 (employees), Office of Housing and Residence Lifeat 540-231-6205, Womens Center at Virginia Techat 540-231-7806. "I don't believe that [the new law] would have been applicable to the facts of this case anyway," he told Virginia Public Media. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Smith's family wore shirts with Jerry's face on them. that is degrading to another person. Etutes lawyers also asked the court to disregard a 2021 Virginia law banning the so-called gay panic defense. His mother had testified that someone is always at their home and that the family includes three siblings, among them a younger sister with Down syndrome. New Group Aims To Refocus School Boards On Students, Real Education Policy, House GOP Passes Bill That Would Take Food and Healthcare From Virginia Families, Three Ways Youngkin Has Undermined Democracy In Virginia (Just This Year). 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. And what was the intent of the panic defense ban, to stop this from being used. Virginia Techs United Feminist Movement gathered with other students on campus on Wednesday, April 26, for the organizations annual Take Back the Night rally. Etute then voluntarily got on the courtroom floor for jurors, showing how he says he beat Smith by using a tissue box to represent the victims head, according to the Times. Click this link right now: https://advocatechannel.com, From left: Ismemen David Etute and Jerry Paul Smith, Former College Football Player Accused of Killing Man He Met on Tinder, 26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know, 36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party, 11 Homoerotic Ads, Covers From 20th Century Gay Artist J.C. 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Carsten Andresen at St. Edwards University, judges and juries reduce charges in 32.7% of cases where they hear the panic defense. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Jerry Paul Smith and is located at 119 N Main St Apt 207, Blacksburg, VA 24060-3945. 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.. So why is it showing up in a Blacksburg murder case? Etute is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail without bond. Virginia passed a law last year banning the use of "gay panic" or "trans panic" defenses in homicide or assault cases. 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Turk described Etute as quiet and soft-spoken. They did, however, orchestrate a trade-up with the Minnesota Vikings. Smith, he testified, chuckled, reaching for Etutes crotch with one hand and down the side of the bed with the other. Dr. Amy Marie Tharp, of the Roanoke Medical Examiner's office . The medical examiner said he died of blunt force trauma, and the autopsy report revealed that every bone in his face was broken, he had missing teeth and he'd sustained multiple facial fractures, according to the paper. The two had been communicating via Tinder direct messages, Smith presenting himself as Angie Renee'' on his profile. Etute was emotionally distraught and started crying upon hearing the news of Smiths death. or anything. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Political History, Black Youth Leader Says He Was Mistakenly Detained While Naked, New Jersey Librarian Files Federal Complaint After Being Fired for 'Gay Lifestyle'. Now, judges have to be clear the Commonwealth does not recognize that defense. Elle est situe proximit des communes de Grenoble, Saint-grve, Corenc et La Tronche. The motion argues that Jerry Smith died before the statutes went into effect, and they should not be allowed in this trial. The judge called upon three detectives as witnesses to share details of the encounter between Etute and Smith. According to the Montgomery County Circuit Court clerk's office, a jury trial has been set for May 2022. 134 and a 2024 fifth-round pick to Minneso. Isimemen Etute, 19, stands accused of the 2021 murder of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, who Etute met under the name Angie." Megan Schiffres UPDATE 6 p.m.: WFXR News has learned that Isimemen Etute has been scheduled for a hearing in Montgomery County District Court on Thursday. Were watching the victim being put on trial, said State Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) during the Feb. 25 vote. Luxury Duplex Homes for Sale in Saint grve, Auvergne Rhne Alpes, France. Saying identification could pose a risk of retaliatory physical and mental harm to the witness.. In the middle of Hites testimony, a member of Smiths family left the courtroom, appearing agitated, and said, That was full of s---.. Facebook gives people the. Etutes defense team filed two motions on Thursday. He realized Smith was a man and became enraged. The defense, however, argues that the ban did not go into effect until after Etute committed his alleged crimes. Apartment in Saint-grve, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France. New THC Laws to Take Effect in Virginia July 1, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Etute said he worried that Smith was attempting to grab a gun though he'd never seen a weapon which he said prompted him to punch Smith in an alleged act of self-defense. The following days, Etute cut off all communication with Smith, suspicious if Angie really was a woman. When voting for the bill in February, House members said it puts the victim on trial, rather than the suspect. Compounding matters for the defense is that Virginia became the 12th state to implement a ban on the Gay Panic defense in April. His body was discovered the following day, and Ismemen David Etute, 18, of Virginia Beach was arrested June 2. Apartment in Saint-grve, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France. He said Etute and Smith had matched on the dating site Tinder, but Smiths Tinder profile indicated he was a woman named Angie. Fans wo. Blacksburg police discovered Smith's body on June 1 in his apartment. La mairie de Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux est situe au sud-est de la France dans le dpartement Isre l'adresse postale : Mairie - Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux 40 avenue Gnral-Leclerc 38950 Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux. New 7 days ago. Etute believed that the person he had hooked up with was a woman named Angie. Following a sexual encounter at Smiths apartment in Blacksburg, Etute discovered Smith was not an anatomical woman and proceeded to punch them multiple times. Chance of rain 60%. The company is a Virginia Domestic Limited-Liability Company, which was filed on October 22, 2020. Your 24/7 streaming source for equality news and lifestyle trends. Its a legal defense Virginia banned earlier this year. The Blacksburg Police Department says 40-year-old Jerry Smith of Blacksburg, died in the incident. Share with Us. VPM News Morning Monitor enlightens and entertains readers weekdays with news you should care about. A man he met on Tinder is charged with second-degree murder. About a dozen states have adopted such laws. "Etute heard 'bubbling and gurgling' as he left the apartment but didn't call the police. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); RICHMOND Its a temporary insanity plea. Isimemen Etute stands at his preliminary hearing at Montgomery County Court House, Sept. 24, 2021. During a bond hearing last week, the Montgomery County General District Court was told Smith had multiple social media accounts where he posed as a woman named "Angie.". Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. Click this link right now: https://advocatechannel.com, From left: Isimemen Etute and Jerry Paul Smith, Gay/Trans 'Panic' Defense Leads to Accused Killer's Acquittal, Florida Dems File Bill Ending Gay and Trans Panic Defense , 26 Things Gay Sex Workers Want You to Know, 36 Pics of Inhibitions and Shirts Coming Off at Hebro's Jewbilee Party, 11 Homoerotic Ads, Covers From 20th Century Gay Artist J.C. 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A two-time Virginia Press Association awards winner, Megan is a hard-hitting journalist with an interest in using journalism to uncover inequities and hold public officials accountable. Police found a knife hidden under Smith's mattress, leading Turk to say, "Who would be more likely to resort to violence? The court has set September 23, 2021 as the date for Etute's preliminary hearing on the murder charge. Etute appeared in Montgomery County General District Court in Christiansburg Wednesday. With Smiths apartment only illuminated by one dim light, Etute used his cell phone flashlight to make his way up the stairs to Smiths bedroom. According to the Blacksburg Police Department, officers responded to 119 North Main Street for a welfare check at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1 and found a dead man at the scene. But defense attorney Jimmy Turk blamed Smith, calling him a "deceitful and dishonest man" who "defrauded young men for his own sexual gratification." A jury trial is scheduled to begin May 25 at 9 a.m. Smith, 40, was found dead in his apartment June 1. According to Detective Heather Rose-Semple, the first witness,Etute and Smith had first established contact over the dating app Tinder in April 2021. He claimed Etute didnt know Smith was not anatomically a woman in their first encounter. 5 Beds 1 Baths 1765 sqft. Blacksburg police found Jerry Paul Smith dead in his North Main Street apartment on June 1. The Blacksburg Police Department says 40-year-old Jerry Smith of Blacksburg, died in the incident. You have permission to edit this article. Instagram Etute, a linebacker with the Virginia Tech Hokies, is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond. The investigation revealed that Smith and Isimemen Etute who was charged with second degree murder in connection with Smiths death were acquaintances. Etute had entered Virginia Tech at midterm and participated in training with the football team. The preliminary hearing in Etutes case isnt happening until September 23. Megan Schiffres, Originally Published An exam indicated every bone in Smiths face was broken, and he had missing and broken teeth. 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. MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke. Etute has a tremendous amount riding on this trial. The contact is Jerry Paul Smith from Blacksburg VA. CHRISTIANSBURG Defense attorneys said Wednesday that a former Virginia Tech football player feared for his life when he fatally beat a person he met online in April 2021. He previously spent time with Angie and engaged in oral sex with them on April 10. Drugs Jerry Paul Smith is listed as an Agent with Vivid Affairs LLC in Virginia. UPDATE 4:20 p.m.: Virginia Tech has issued a statement on the arrest of Isimemen Etute, a linebacker with the Virginia Tech Hokies, who has been charged with second degree murder. During the middle ages it was administered at some points by the lords of the Castle of Gires, and at other times by the bishop of Grenoble, who had religious and seigniorial disputes with the former. Use the 'Report' link on But what about after this case? Police found Smith in his apartment during a welfare check. When he returned to the the darkened Blacksburg apartment on May 31 for what Angie believed would be another sexual encounter, Etute allegedly told detectives, he used his phone flashlight to illuminate her face and discovered she was a man. Danica Roem (D Prince William). A motions hearing will be held on May 23 at 2 p.m. for a judge to decide how the motions will move forward. A detective and the state medical examiner "testified that most of the bones in Smith's face were broken, he had bleeding and swelling inside his brain and he had multiple teeth knocked out," according to the Times. Copyright 20062023 Sahara Reporters, Inc. All rights reserved. House GOP Passes Bill That Would Take Food and Healthcare From Virginia Families, Politics Details. Judge Mike Fleenor denied the request on Monday. ", Be sure to follow A knife was found sandwiched between the boxspring and mattress on the side of the bed where Smith was found. He said the two had video-chatted the night Jerry Paul Smith was killed and was concerned after he hadnt answered a follow-up call the next morning. All rights reserved. As Smith fell to the ground, Etute punched him five more times before stomping on him till he died. . Honestly, I was destroyed, Etute stated. Etute returned to Smith's home May 31, 2021, with the intention of determining Smith's gender. The defense also pointed to weapons Smith had in his apartment as evidence that Etute was fearful for his safety. Those in the Virginia Tech community who need assistance or counseling support may contact: Cook Counseling Centerat 540-231-6557. That's just wrong.". 19, 2022 at 11:11 AM PDT BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - The suspect in a 2021 killing in Blacksburg has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Blacksburg Police continues to lead this ongoing investigation, and the university will assist law enforcement agencies working the case in any way it can. And by the time Etutes case goes to trial, the court will no longer accept it. In a June 9 hearing, prosecutors said Etute, who was at the time a linebacker on the colleges football team, told police he punched Smith several times in the face after learning they were not anatomically female. The rally is a long-standing tradition at Virginia Tech and at universities across the country that dates back to over 30 years ago, Chamarri Conner is a Kansas City Chief. According to reports, he had told police that Smith did not fight back. As the courtroom stood, the families of both the defendant and victim entered and were seated on opposite sides of the aisle. On the night of April 10, Etute went to Smiths apartment which was very dimly lit and engaged in an act of sexual nature. Thanks to our sponsors Become a Sponsor. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use. Be sure to follow This was a wicked sexual ruse.". An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Officers say that they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. 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. Jerry Paul Smith of Blacksburg, Va., was beaten to death May 31. The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. The Kansas City Chiefs began Day Three of the 2023 NFL Draft with pick No. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. The investigation revealed that Smith and Isimemen Etute who was charged with second degree murder in connection with Smith's death were acquaintances.
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