Compounding matters for the defense is that Virginia became the 12th state to implement a ban on the Gay Panic defense in April. As Smith fell to the ground, Etute punched him five more times before stomping on him till he died. Keep it Clean. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Smith, he testified, chuckled, reaching for Etutes crotch with one hand and down the side of the bed with the other. The investigation revealed that Smith and Isimemen Etute who was charged with second degree murder in connection with Smith's death were acquaintances. Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. It was during their second encounter on May 31, 2021, that Etute discovered Smiths identity and allegedly killed him in his apartment on North Main Street in Blacksburg. The Blacksburg Police Department says 40-year-old Jerry Smith of Blacksburg, died in the incident. When Knowing Matters Jerry - RegionalObituaries.com | Facebook 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. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke. They said Smiths tactics amounted to sexual battery under Virginia law. Etute is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail without bond. It is unknown if Smith identified as transgender; his family has said he was a gay man. I was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and lied to me.. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Smith was found dead the next day, having sustained multiple blunt force traumas to his face and head. Mairie Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux (38950-Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes), adresse Low 41F. There was an error processing your request. Turk described Etute as quiet and soft-spoken. The second witness was Detective Mike Czernicki, who conducted part of the investigation at the scene of the crime and attended the victims autopsy. So why is it showing up in a Blacksburg murder case? But Virginia's law didn't go into effect until July 1 of last year, so Judge Mike Fleenor did not advise the jury about it -- granting a request from the defense team. New THC Laws to Take Effect in Virginia July 1, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion However, they cant use it as a justification. Le nombre de Saint-Martiniers par km (densit) est de 575.5. When she arrived, she described bloody footwear tracked throughout the halls and down the stairs. ", 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.". Tinder connection led to man's murder by Virginia Tech football - WSET The student arrested is Isimemen Etute of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a freshman majoring in human development. The defense also pointed to weapons Smith had in his apartment as evidence that Etute was fearful for his safety. The company has 1 contact on record. An exam indicated every bone in Smiths face was broken, and he had missing and broken teeth. The filing status is listed as Active. We no longer allow someone to turn the table on a rape victim.. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! Its a legal defense Virginia banned earlier this year. Copyright 20062023 Sahara Reporters, Inc. All rights reserved. Suspended Virginia Tech football player appears in court on second 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. Defense attorney Jimmy Turk told the jury that Etute did not intend to seriously injure or kill Smith and was overwhelmed with emotion and disbelief when he learned that Smith had died. Isimemen Etute, 19, stands accused of the 2021 murder of Jerry Paul Smith, 40, who Etute met under the name "Angie." (Smith's family has identified the victim . MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) On the third day of the murder trial for Isimemen Etute the former Virginia Tech football player charged in connection with the death of Jerry Paul Smith last year the defense rested their case, which means two hours of closing arguments are set to begin Friday afternoon. The suspect, Isi Etute, appeared in court virtually Thursday from the Montgomery County Jail. Etute, a linebacker with the Virginia Tech Hokies, is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond. Copyright 2022 VPM, all rights reserved. Former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen David Etute describes an altercation during his murder trial in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Christiansburg, Va., Thursday, May 26 2022. 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. UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: Police in Blacksburg have identified the victim in Tuesday nights homicide. MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke. Ayodele Fayose Caught On Tape Subjecting State Workers To Inhuman And Degrading Treatement, Miyetti Allah Writes Police, Says 30 Herdsmen, 322 Cows Missing In Anambra. 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. 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. Former College Football Player Accused of Killing Man He Met on Tinder Virginias No. This reminds me very much of the rape shield act, where a woman was asked what her sexual history was as part of the defense argument. Judge Mike Fleenor denied the request on Monday. University and community resources are listed below. Twitter Thats just wrong, Turk said. And by the time Etutes case goes to trial, the court will no longer accept it. Subscribe today! . Be Proactive. Your 24/7 streaming source for equality news and lifestyle trends. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. All rights reserved. An arraignment was held Thursday for former Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute, accused of killing Jerry Paul Smith. The prosecution showed jurors several pictures of Smith's lifeless, bloodied body. Enraged, Etute landed blows on Smith and punched him on the face five times, court records say. Before Roems bill, judges had to tell juries in the Commonwealth that this argument was a recognized defense. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. House GOP Passes Bill That Would Take Food and Healthcare From Virginia Families, Politics The trial. If juries accepted it, the judge would instruct them to take it into consideration when deciding the defendants sentence. Share with Us. 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. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. 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. The 18-year-old was charged with the death of Blacksburg restaurant manager Jerry Paul Smith after allegedly punching and stomping the 40-year-old multiple times on May 31. Instagram Etute took the stand on the third day of his trial and gave a play-by-play of what he now says happened the night that Smith died, according to The Roanoke Times. The following three paragraphs are from Hites testimony. Youngkin Diversity Chief Dismisses Diversity Efforts, Education 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. VIVID AFFAIRS LLC in Blacksburg, VA | Company Info & Reviews - Bizapedia Twitter 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. Etute is charged with second-degree murder. Czernicki said that he was able to confirm Smiths identity upon first seeing him because of having at least four previous encounters with him through Czernickis work. "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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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Police found a knife hidden under Smith's mattress, leading Turk to say, "Who would be more likely to resort to violence? The suspension also includes his standing with the Virginia Tech football team. A jury trial is scheduled to begin May 25 at 9 a.m. Smith, 40, was found dead in his apartment June 1. Your 24/7 streaming source for equality news and lifestyle trends. That's just wrong.". 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. Those in the Virginia Tech community who need assistance or counseling support may contact: Cook Counseling Centerat 540-231-6557. With the ban, defendants will still be able to tell their side of the story. Isimemen Etute says he thought Jerry Paul Smith was a woman when they met for sex. Etute then decided to meet with Angie once more to determine this, Hite alleged, and the two met up on the night of May 31, 2021, in Smiths apartment. Jerry Paul Smith, 40 known as Gigi by his nephews of Blacksburg, VA departed this life, June 1, 2021, at his home. 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.