• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Former Virginia Tech football player acquitted of mistaken-gender-identity murder of Tinder date

Isimemen Etute was found not guilty by a jury after three hours of deliberations on Friday

Isimemen Etute

Isimemen Etute (Screenshot WSLS - YouTube)

May 28, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech football player Isimemen Etute was indicted on second-degree murder charges last year after he was accused of beating a male Tinder date to death after the man portrayed himself as a woman. He was also suspended from the team following his arrest. On Friday he was acquitted of second-degree murder.

Etute, 19, was found not guilty in the 2021 death of Jerry Smith, 40, after his lawyer argued he acted in self-defense, reported The Roanoke Times.

The jury in Christiansburg, Virginia deliberated three hours before submitting their verdict to the court.

After matching with someone named “Angie” on Tinder last April, Etute visited the person to engage in oral sex. The next month, he returned to the victim’s apartment to verify his gender and discovered Smith was posing as “Angie,” Etute said previously.

The linebacker then groped Smith before allegedly beating him to death, a detective testified, according to the New York Post.

Isimemen David Etute
Isimemen David Etute (Montgomery County Jail)

Etute took the stand in his own defense earlier this week and said he felt “violated” that his date lied about his gender. The defendant said Smith had insisted they meet in the dark and had reached for what he thought was a gun.

Etute previously told police at the time of his arrest that he punched the sexual partner five times in the face and stomped on him after discovering the person he thought was a woman was actually a man, Law Officer reported last year.

During his trial, Etute testified that he punched Smith five times and kicked him to escape the apartment.

Although Smith did not possess a firearm, detectives located a knife beneath his mattress.

Jerry Paul Smith
Jerry Paul Smith (Courtesy of Smith family via The Roanoke Times)

Jimmy Turk, Etute’s defense lawyer, argued that the former football player acted in self-defense. He said Etute’s fear and the victim’s weapon were not considered by investigators.

Prosecutor Patrick Jensen countered the claim of self-defense, saying Smith was in no position to get his knife. Moreover, the 153-pound man was reportedly no physical match for the “elite college athlete” who was listed as 6-foot-3, 205 pounds.

Jensen pointed out, “That’s a big disparity.”

When the verdict was read to the courtroom, Etute’s father, David, collapsed in his seat while his wife Nichelle burst out in tears. Etute lifted Turk off the ground in a big bear hug with both of them weeping. Smith’s family quickly left the room.

Turk later spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, The Roanoke Times reported.

“This is one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had as a lawyer,” he said.

“I’m not in shock because it’s the right verdict, but always wondering and worrying about whether you convinced 12 people,” Turk pointed out “That’s always nerve-wracking. I’m just thankful for this jury. It is the right decision and right now I’m still just overwhelmed.”


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: ChristiansburgIsimemen EtuteJerry SmithJimmy TurkPatrick Jensenvirginia
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

SCOTUS marshal

SCOTUS marshal asks state officials to act on protests at justices’ homes

July 4, 2022
Virginia woman

Virginia woman arrested after police aircraft pilot temporarily blinded by laser

May 18, 2022
Georgia

Democrat official indicted on 82 counts of voter fraud

May 11, 2022
Virginia officer

Virginia officer acquitted of murder

April 28, 2022
Austin Preston Leigh

Felons escape Virginia mental institution

April 18, 2022
Glenn Youngkin

Virginia governor donates first quarter salary to law enforcement support group

April 8, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

Molly Cheng

Minnesota man dies by suicide; hours later mother drowns three children before killing herself

July 6, 2022
Highland Park gunman

Highland Park parade gunman contemplated attack at second location

July 6, 2022
law enforcement officers murdered

Many of today’s social paradoxes impact law enforcement

July 6, 2022
Oscar Mayorga

Florida police officer charged with DUI while driving marked patrol unit

July 6, 2022
fitness standards

NYPD relaxes fitness standards in wake of record number retirements

July 6, 2022
Minneapolis

Minneapolis turns into war zone on Fourth of July, several in critical condition

July 5, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

law enforcement officers murdered

Many of today’s social paradoxes impact law enforcement

July 6, 2022
fitness standards

NYPD relaxes fitness standards in wake of record number retirements

July 6, 2022
Highland Park mass killer

Highland Park mass killer fired weapon from rooftop, dressed in women’s clothing to aid escape

July 5, 2022
Philadelphia police officer

Philadelphia police officer shot in head found bullet lodged in hat

July 5, 2022

Man arrested in Illinois mass shooting is Chicago Rapper

July 4, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com