The former Virginia Tech linebacker accused of murdering his male Tinder date after mistaking him for a woman was acquitted on Friday.
Isimemen Etute, 19, was found not guilty in Montgomery County Circuit Court for the death of 40-year-old Jerry Smith.
Etute matched with someone named “Angie Renee” on Tinder. The former football player went to Smith’s apartment to receive oral sex in April of 2021.
Etute returned to Smith’s apartment the following month to verify “Angie’s” gender. He groped Smith and determined that he was a man. Etute testified that he saw Smith reach for a weapon and begin beating him.
Investigators later located a knife under Smith’s mattress. He later died of his injuries, including broken facial bones and missing teeth.
Etute was arrested in June of last year and charged with second-degree murder. He was suspended indefinitely from the Virginia Tech football team following the charges.
