Trial begins for ex-Virginia Tech football player in killing

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — A trial started Wednesday for a former Virginia Tech soccer participant accused within the deadly beating of a Tinder match he initially believed was a lady.

Isimemen Etute, a former linebacker, is charged with second-degree homicide within the 2021 loss of life of 40-year-old Jerry Smith. Etute advised police he visited Smith’s condo in April 2021 after he was matched with somebody named “Angie” on Tinder. Prosecutors mentioned that when Etute returned on Might 31, he turned enraged when he found his match was a person.

The Roanoke Instances reported that throughout opening statements in Montgomery County Circuit Courtroom Wednesday, Assistant Commonwealth’s Legal professional Jason Morgan advised the jury that there was “not a lot to unpack on this case.” He mentioned Etute beat Smith when he found he was a person.

“Each bone in Jerry’s face was damaged,” Morgan mentioned.

Etute’s legal professional, James Turk, advised the jury the case would come down to 5 seconds during which the protection alleges Smith reached below his mattress for what Etute thought was a gun.

Turk described Etute as a then 18-year-old sufferer who was “lured” right into a sexual encounter by a person focusing on younger Black males for his personal sexual gratification.

“(Smith) was a sexual predator and Isi was one among his victims,” Turk mentioned.

Turk admitted that Etute went to Smith’s condo on Might 31 with the intent of discovering out whether or not “Angie” was a person or lady, however Etute advised his associates earlier than the encounter he was going to “run out” if it was a person.

Turk mentioned the incident turned violent when Smith lunged ahead and “violently grabbed Etute’s crotch” with one hand and reached in the direction of the aspect of the mattress with the opposite hand.

“Isi thought he was reaching for a gun,” Turk mentioned.

Whereas Smith didn’t personal a gun, the police did discover a knife hidden between Smith’s mattress and field spring.

Western Virginia assistant chief medical expert Dr. Amy Tharp described Smith’s accidents, saying he had a number of facial fractures and mind harm. She mentioned that Smith did not have defensive wounds on his arms or palms. She additionally mentioned that he was doubtless nonetheless alive however unconscious for an unspecified period of time after Etute left the condo.

The trial is scheduled to proceed Thursday.