On May 3rd, a Virginia Tech football player, 18-year-old Freshman linebacker Isimemen Etute, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the deah of 40-year-old Blacksburg, Virginia local, Jerry Smith.
Police found Mr. Smith unresponsive after performing a well-fare check at 119 N. Main Street in Blacksburg at approximately 10:30 PM on Tuesday. Investigators marked Mr. Smith's death as a homicide and later set their sights on Etute, who was an acquaintance, as a person of interest.
Etute was removed from both his studies toward a major in human development at Virginia Tech and the football team. Isimemen was being kept without bond at the Montgomery County Jail and an arraignment hearing was scheduled for Thursday.
During the spring, Etute also practiced witht he Hokies and has been suspended from this team as well. Virginia Tech released a statement saying they have the right to remove any student charged in a felony arrest from programs.
In regards to the incident, Blacksburg police also issued a statement. “This continues to be a complex, ongoing investigation. This investigation has revealed that Mr. Smith and Mr. Etute were acquaintances. Witnesses have been identified and interviewed, and are cooperating with investigators.”Etute has been involved in other criminal incidents, police also say.
I don't know about you, but I think it is tragic when a life that has so much potential is ruined. There is so much that could be at play here if the accusation is true, mental illness, a motive, but overall, it's just sad.
No matter how angry or bitter I've felt, I could never imagine taking someone's life. Not only for the guilt and the shame, but I wouldn't want to ruin what chances I had at a future. I'm not sure about you, but I will be following the story to see how it plays out.
What are your thoughts?
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/9b04a112-10d6-49cb-9c58-746b651bf4a2
https://abcnews.go.com/US/virginia-tech-football-player-charged-2nd-degree-murder/story?id=78061175