BROOKLYN — A Brooklyn jury found Dmitriy Popov guilty of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime in connection with the July 29, 2023, stabbing death of O'Shae Sibley. Popov was 17 years old at the time of the stabbing and is currently 20 years old.

The jury acquitted Popov of murder as a hate crime. He was also convicted of second-degree menacing, aggravated harassment in the second degree, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Popov faces a prison sentence of eight to 25 years for the manslaughter conviction, with sentencing tentatively scheduled for June 30.

New York prosecutors tried Popov as an adult under a state law that allows individuals over the age of 13 accused of murder to be treated as adults. The prosecution argued that Popov was motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and used racist and homophobic slurs against Sibley and his friends. Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Jafari said, "There is no question that hate showed up that night at that gas station. It is because of that hate that O'Shae Sibley was killed."

Popov testified that he fatally stabbed Sibley in self-defense, claiming he feared physical harm. He also testified that he carried a five-and-a-half-inch blade because he had been attacked weeks prior. Security camera footage shown at trial depicted both groups arguing before going their separate ways, after which Popov approached Sibley's group. Popov testified that he recorded on his phone during the encounter because he found the dancing amusing.

Defense attorney Mark Pollard said, "We're happy he wasn't guilty of murder but disappointed he wasn't acquitted on the rest of the charges." Pollard had argued in closing arguments that the stabbing was an act of self-defense and urged jurors to focus on the final moments of the encounter. Sibley was 28 years old at the time of his death. He grew up in Philadelphia and was part of the Philadanco dance company before moving to New York.