Ismemen David Etute, 18, was charged in the death of Blacksburg restaurant manager Jerry Paul Smith after allegedly punching and stomping the 40-year-old multiple times.
Isimemen Etute
The two first met April 10 for oral sex, during which Etute was still under the impression that Smith was a woman, Montgomery County Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettitt told the Montgomery County General District Court during a bond hearing on Wednesday morning.
Etute did not discover Smith was a man until they met again on May 31 for a second sexual encounter at Smith’s apartment.
Following the revelation, Etute punched Smith in the face five times before he fell to the ground. He punched him at least five more times and stomped on him, Commonwealth Attorneys told the court.
The 18-year-old linebacker heard ‘bubbling and gurgling’ coming from Smith as he left the apartment, but didn’t call the police, the Commonwealth Attorney added.
All the bones in Smith’s face were broken and his teeth were missing, the report said.
A judge granted bond for Virginia Tech football player and Virginia Beach native Isimemen Etute. He's charged with the murder of a 40-year-old he met on a dating app, who he later discovered was a man.
— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) June 9, 2021
Prosecutors filed an appeal to keep Etute in jail. https://t.co/BI88KREMFG
Smith’s body was discovered in his apartment the following day, Blacksburg Police said in a release.
“Nobody deserves to die, but I don’t mind saying don’t pretend you are something that you are not. Don’t target or lure anyone under that perception. That’s just wrong.” Etute’s attorney, James Turk said.
Etute was released on $75,000 bond and placed on house arrest pending trial.
