A suspended Virginia Tech linebacker accused in the fatal beating of a transgender Tinder match has been indicted on a charge of second-degree murder.
Isimemen Etute, 18, who is accused in the death of 40-year-old Jerry Smith in May, was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday, The Roanoke Times reported. A hearing is scheduled Nov. 18.
Attorneys and witnesses said previously that Etute said he visited Smith’s apartment after being matched with someone named “Angie,” and then returned a month later to determine whether his match was male or female.
A detective testified that Etute groped and punched Smith, whose death was attributed to blunt force trauma to the head.
Etute said he visited Smith’s apartment in April after he was matched with someone named “Angie” on Tinder, and returned on May 31 to determine whether his match was male or female. A detective testified that Etute groped Smith and used his phone’s flashlight to get a better look in the dark apartment before repeatedly punching the victim.
Etute was released in June on $75,000 secured bond under house arrest and electronic monitoring. He was ordered to stay with his family in Virginia Beach. Etute was suspended from the school and its football team during the investigation.