You dont need to be close to this to be affected by this. Facing Growing Extremism in Denying Care to Transgender People: Report, Montana GOP Lawmaker Suggested She'd Prefer Her Daughter Die By Suicide Than Transition, The Rich Queer History of American Drag Queens, Colorados Gay Governor Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law in Wake of Club Q Shooting, Montana Governor Signs Gender-Affirming Care Ban Despite Nonbinary Son's Pleas, Easterseals Highlights Alarming Accessibility Gaps for Disabled Americans, Hannah Gadsby's New Netflix Show Is 'Something Special', Bernie Wagenblast, the Voice of New York City Subways, Comes Out as Transgender, Montana Governor's Nonbinary Son Lobbies Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills, Tennessees Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Challenged by Department of Justice, 12 Lesbians Who've Made U.S. They did, however, orchestrate a trade-up with the Minnesota Vikings. Etute appeared in Montgomery County General District Court in Christiansburg Wednesday. All rights reserved. University and community resources are listed below. As the courtroom stood, the families of both the defendant and victim entered and were seated on opposite sides of the aisle. We want YOU to join the Collegiate Times! The Virginia Tech and Town of Blacksburg communities are united in our shared concern for the welfare of all. 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. Blacksburg police found Jerry Paul Smith dead in his North Main Street apartment on June 1. Jerry Paul Smith of Blacksburg, Virginia - Kendall Funeral Home La commune de Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux est une commune rhnalpine de taille moyenne habite par 5778 rsidents Saint-Martiniers. According to Detective Heather Rose-Semple, the first witness, 365 Squires Student Center,Blacksburg,VA, Take Back the Night protestors demand a safer, more accountable campus, Virginia Tech Board of Visitors votes to raise tuition and fees, Alleged Melody Hookah Lounge shooter set to face jury trial, Muslim Student Association works to create more prayer spaces on campus, April marks Virginia Techs commemoration of APIDA voices, The Chiefs trade up to select Virginia Tech's Chamarri Conner, Hokies baseball drop both games of North Carolina double-header, Hokies defeat Dukes in a dramatic midweek game, Mens golf closes out season with last-place finish at ACC Championship, I-81 South: Historical towns of Washington County, Hokies supporting Hokies: Virginia Tech 2023 Day of Remembrance, Give the Womens World Cup the respect it deserves, Live music can enhance your college experience. And what was the intent of the panic defense ban, to stop this from being used. The Blacksburg Police Department says 40-year-old Jerry Smith of Blacksburg, died in the incident. The video footage was shared exclusively with us from the property owner of the victims apartment; the owner would like to remain anonymous. This wasnt a first-time meeting. The suspect, Isi Etute, appeared in court virtually Thursday from the Montgomery County Jail. Their body was discovered the next day. An exam indicated every bone in Smiths face was broken, and he had missing and broken teeth. Facing Growing Extremism in Denying Care to Transgender People: Report, The Rich Queer History of American Drag Queens, Colorados Gay Governor Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law in Wake of Club Q Shooting, Montana Governor Signs Gender-Affirming Care Ban Despite Nonbinary Son's Pleas. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! The company has 1 contact on record. 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. VPM News Morning Monitor enlightens and entertains readers weekdays with news you should care about. Jensen commented on this by saying the defendant "has a motive for changing what he said. Isi Etute, ex-Virginia Tech player, found not guilty of second-degree 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. Advocate on your favorite social platforms!Facebook La superficie de la commune de Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux est de 10.04 km. Dean of Students Officeat 540-231-3787. He then pulled back his partner's sweatshirt hood, turned on his phones flashlight and discovered his partner had a mans facial hair. The defense also pointed to weapons Smith had in his apartment as evidence that Etute was fearful for his safety. Suspect in alleged sex-related killing enters not-guilty plea, (MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times | (AP Photo / The Roanoke Times, Matt Gentry, Pool)), Pedestrian on life support after being hit in SE Roanoke traffic, Aerosmith announces farewell tour starting in September, Person being treated after Bedford County barricade, Troopers make interesting find while cleaning highway, Proposed campaign wants to propel gun violence resources into the spotlight in Roanoke, Bridging the Great Health Divide Across the US, PublicFileAccess@wdbj7.com - (540) 344-7000. BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) Police in Blacksburg have charged a man with murder in connection with a Tuesday night homicide. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Prosecutor Jason Morgan, in arguing against Etute's release on bond, testified that the defendant had met Smith for oral sex April 10, after the two had connected on Tinder. No one has identified Smith as transgender; his family has said he was a gay man. 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. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. His teeth had also been knocked out. I was just shocked and in disbelief that someone had tricked me and lied to me.. A first degree murder charge drops down to second degree murder and in some states, its the difference between a death sentence and life in prison. Etute had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder for the blunt force trauma death in 2021 of Jerry Smith. Check out the all NEW Advocate Channel! He claimed Etute didnt know Smith was not anatomically a woman in their first encounter. About a dozen states have adopted such laws. According to a. Blacksburg Police have announced the arrest of a Virginia Tech student in connection to the death of a Blacksburg resident early Wednesday morning. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The Kansas City Chiefs began Day Three of the 2023 NFL Draft with pick No. Following a sexual encounter at Smith's apartment in Blacksburg, Etute discovered Smith was not an anatomical woman and proceeded to punch them multiple times. Together, we denounce all acts of violence and stand together in support of one another. A graduate of VCU, Megan previously worked as a reporter for the Rappahannock Record. BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. The statutes state in part that a persons actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation is not in and of itself, or together with an oral solicitation, a defense to any charge of capital murder, first degree murder, second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. 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). person will not be tolerated. After that hearing, Turk blamed Smith for what happened in an interview with the Roanoke Times. 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. Police found a knife hidden under Smith's mattress, leading Turk to say, "Who would be more likely to resort to violence? He realized Smith was a man and became enraged. Etute had entered Virginia Tech at midterm and participated in training with the football team. Low 41F. 134 and a 2024 fifth-round pick to Minneso. Share with Us. Closing arguments were expected to take place Friday, after Turk calls more witnesses, according to the Times. With the ban, defendants will still be able to tell their side of the story. Suspect in alleged sex-related killing enters not-guilty plea - WDBJ Virginias No. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. One of the focal points of the case was the defenses pretrial motion to use a Gay/Trans Panic Defense, which they filed earlier this month. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. What did Isimemen Etute do? Case explored as former footballer is Facebook gives people the. UPDATE 3:40 p.m.: Police in Blacksburg have identified the victim in Tuesday nights homicide. After a three-day trial in the Montogomery County Circuit Court, Isimemen Etute, 19, a former football player, was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Jerry Smith, 40, of. Turk also refused to comment. Check out these great suggestions. Tax Code Causes Problems For LGBTQ Couples, New THC Laws to Take Effect in Virginia July 1, Sick Of Divisive Attacks On Schools? Born May 18, 1981 in Montgomery County, VA, he was the son of the late Jerry Wayne Smith and Sandra Cumbee Smith. Jerry was a restaurant manager and known as a polite young man throughout his life. Courtesy of Matt Gentry from the Roanoke Times, Suspended Virginia Tech football player appears in court on second-degree murder charge. Etute believed that the person he had hooked up with was a woman named Angie. Chance of rain 60%.. Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Twitter The trial. New THC Laws to Take Effect in Virginia July 1, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion The preliminary hearing in Etutes case isnt happening until September 23. The company's principal address is 110 Draper Rd Nw, Blacksburg, VA 24060-7402. Judge Mike Fleenor has yet to rule on the defenses motion but said he would do so before jury deliberations. The brands new pale lilac shade can freshen up your kitchens look IN THIS ARTICLE: Le Creuset is known for its premium enameled stone and cast-iron cookware. BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - The suspect in a 2021 killing in Blacksburg has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Luxury duplex homes for sale in Saint-grve, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes After being prodded by friends in the prior weeks about whether Angie was actually a woman, Etute admitted he went back to the apartment with twofriends, who waited outside in the hallway of Smith's apartment complex. Born May 18, 1981 in Montgomery County, VA, he was the son of the late Jerry Wayne Smith and Sandra Cumbee Smith. He said Etute and Smith had matched on the dating site Tinder, but Smiths Tinder profile indicated he was a woman named Angie. Using photos, text, and video dynamically, the site informs and prompts concerned African citizens and activists globally to act, denouncing officially-sanctioned corruption, the material impoverishment of its citizenry, defilement of the environment, and the callous disregard of the democratic principles enshrined in the constitution. New 7 days ago. Smith was found dead the next day, having sustained multiple blunt force traumas to his face and head. 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. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke. 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. Without a declaration from the deceased regarding their pronouns, name or gender identity, VPM News will refer to the victim as Smith or they/them. Jerry Smith Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information - Legacy.com