Dmitriy Popov took the stand in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Wednesday, claiming he stabbed O'Shae Sibley in self-defense during the July 2023 incident that prosecutors characterize as a hate crime. The 20-year-old defendant acknowledged killing the 28-year-old gay Black dancer outside a Midwood gas station but disputed using slurs or initiating the confrontation.

Prosecutors presented surveillance footage showing Sibley and friends walking away at one point, with the victim holding up a peace sign. Popov's attorney argued his client acted impulsively while fearing for his safety, describing him as a young man who panicked during the altercation. The defense emphasized Popov's desire to tell his version of events directly to the jury.

Cross-examination revealed significant discrepancies between Popov's testimony and witness accounts. Prosecutor Sarah Jafari challenged him aggressively, noting that half a dozen witnesses contradicted his claim that he never used homophobic or racist language. The video showed Popov remaining outside while his friends returned to the store, contradicting his self-defense argument under New York law.

Popov admitted Sibley appeared unarmed and acknowledged multiple opportunities to walk away from the confrontation. The case hinges on whether jurors accept his claim of imminent danger or view the killing as motivated by bias, with the surveillance evidence and conflicting testimonies forming the core of deliberations ahead of a verdict.