A New York City man convicted of a hate crime in the 2023 stabbing death of vogue dancer O’Shae Sibley is facing a prison sentence of eight to 25 years.
Dmitriy Popov, 20, was scheduled for sentencing on June 30 following his conviction. Popov was 17 at the time of Sibley’s killing on July 29, 2023, outside a Brooklyn gas station.
Popov testified that he fatally stabbed Sibley in self-defense. However, prosecutors argued the attack was motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ hatred, claiming Popov taunted and killed Sibley after the victim reacted to his provocations.
A Brooklyn jury found Popov guilty of manslaughter as a hate crime after a three-week trial. The jury deliberated for a week and also convicted him of second-degree menacing, aggravated harassment, and weapon possession. Popov was acquitted of the more serious hate crime murder charge.
The manslaughter conviction carries a potential sentence of 8 to 25 years, sparing Popov a possible life sentence. His attorney, Mark Pollard, described the verdict as “probably bittersweet,” noting they were relieved Popov was not convicted of murder but disappointed by the other charges.
Sibley, 28, had returned from a beach birthday party when he stopped for gas near his vehicle. The dancer and his friends were voguing— a dance style popularized by queer Black and Latino communities—when another group began taunting them.
Following a brief argument captured on security cameras, Popov approached Sibley’s group, verbally harassed them, and recorded the incident. Sibley confronted Popov, leading to the stabbing. Popov claimed he used a 5.5-inch blade in self-defense after feeling threatened.
New York prosecutors tried Popov as an adult under state law allowing individuals over 13 accused of murder to be tried as adults.
Sibley, originally from Philadelphia, performed with the Philadanco dance company and used his artistry to celebrate his LGBTQ+ identity.
