Jury Convicts Dmitriy Popov of Hate Crime Manslaughter in Death of Vogue Dancer O'Shae Sibley

On 10 June 2026 a Brooklyn state supreme court jury found Dmitriy Popov guilty of manslaughter as a hate crime, second-degree menacing, aggravated harassment in the second degree, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of murder as a hate crime. The manslaughter conviction carries an eight-to-25-year term; sentencing is set for 30 June 2026.

The Guardian

On 29 July 2023 outside a Brooklyn gasoline station, 28-year-old O'Shae Sibley, a gay vogue dancer who performed with the Philadanco dance company, was stabbed after a confrontation. Sibley and friends were dancing shirtless and playing Beyoncé music when another group began taunting them. Popov approached, recorded the exchange, and stabbed Sibley with a five-and-half-inch blade. Popov testified he feared injury; prosecutors said the attack was anti-LGBTQ+ bias. Security-camera footage shown at trial captured the taunts and stabbing.

The Guardian

29 July 2023 – Stabbing; early 2026 – Trial; 10 June 2026 – Verdict; 30 June 2026 – Sentencing.

The Guardian

The jury returned four convictions: manslaughter as a hate crime, second-degree menacing, aggravated harassment in the second degree, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The manslaughter term is eight to 25 years; the other offenses carry lesser penalties.

The Guardian

The case shows New York’s use of adult-prosecution statutes for minors and the application of hate-crime law to anti-LGBTQ+ violence, potentially shaping future prosecutions and policy on bias-motivated crimes.

The Guardian

Prosecutors said the attack stemmed from anti-LGBTQ+ hatred, citing taunts and recorded insults. Defense attorney Mark Pollard characterized the verdict as bittersweet for both sides, noting his client avoided a murder conviction but remained convicted on other charges.

The Guardian

Pollard expressed disappointment that the jury did not acquit Popov on the remaining charges, arguing the hate-crime label exceeded the evidence. No organized opposition is recorded.

The Guardian

Popov claimed self-defense, saying he feared injury, while prosecutors emphasized anti-LGBTQ+ bias. The mixed verdict—convicting on hate-crime manslaughter but acquitting murder as a hate crime—leaves unanswered whether explicit bigoted language was used; no transcript of alleged slurs is available.

The Guardian

• “We’re happy he wasn’t guilty of murder but disappointed he wasn’t acquitted on the rest of the charges,” — Mark Pollard, defense attorney

The Guardian

• “probably bittersweet for both sides” — Mark Pollard, defense attorney

The Guardian

• “scared that he was going to get hurt” — Dmitriy Popov, defendant (testimony)

The Guardian

Sentencing is scheduled for 30 June 2026. Popov may pursue appellate review of the hate-crime manslaughter conviction. The case continues to be cited in discussions of adult prosecution of juvenile offenders and enforcement of New York’s hate-crime statutes.

The Guardian