According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “Today in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Terrence McGann sentenced defendant, Sophia Negroponte, 30, of Washington, D.C., to 35 years in prison for the stabbing death of 24-year-old Yousuf Rasmussen. A jury convicted Negroponte of Second-Degree Murder on January 3rd, 2023.” Negroponte stabbed Rasmussen to death at a home in Rockville in 2020. Negroponte had claimed she was acting in self-defense.
“While nothing can ease the pain caused by this senseless loss of life, we thank Judge McGann for an appropriate prison sentence in this case. Yousuf Rasmussen was a beloved 24-year-old young man who was supported throughout this trial by friends and family and he will be greatly missed by all who loved him,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
The Rasmussen family released the following statement in January:
“Yousuf was a kind and gentle soul, a loving person who brought our family and his many friends great joy in his 24 years of life. We will carry him with us forever. We are grateful for the dedication and professionalism of Maryland and Montgomery County officials, notably in the Circuit Court, the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Victim Assistance program. Above all, we wish to thank the many police and emergency medical technicians who rushed to the scene and tried to save Yousuf’s precious life. To the family and friends from all over the world who have walked beside us on this difficult journey, we wish to express our deepest love and deepest appreciation for your support, for your prayers and for your compassion.”
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