Lawyer: Suspect In Stabbing Case Is A “Good Christian Boy”

Lawyer: Suspect In Stabbing Case Is A “Good Christian Boy”
O’Shea Sibley (photo: Kemar Jewel)

Dmitriy Popov, 17, of Brooklyn, has been arraigned on several charges, including murder and a hate crime, in connection with the stabbing death of professional dancer O’Shea Sibley.

According to New York State law, anyone over 13 who is charged with murder is prosecuted in adult court.

From PIX11:

Popov is accused of fatally stabbing Sibley, 28, during a confrontation at a Midwood gas station on the night of July 29.

Sibley, who was gay, was seen on video voguing before the deadly encounter. Popov allegedly confronted Sibley about his dancing. After the two exchanged words, Popov allegedly stabbed Sibley in the chest, police said.

Following Monday morning’s court hearing in Downtown Brooklyn, Popov’s defense attorney Mark Pollard told PIX11’s Anthony DiLorenzo that contrary to other reports, his client is a “good Christian boy,” not Muslim. He was born in the United States, while his parents are from Russia.

Earlier reports indicated that Popov’s group yelled and harassed Sibley and his friends telling them to stop dancing because it offended their Muslim faith. They also reportedly used anti-gay and anti-Black slurs.