Yousuf Rasmussen and Sophia Negroponte

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

The daughter of a former US ambassador has been convicted — again — for her role in a fatal alcohol-fueled stabbing in 2020.

DC resident Sophia Negroponte, 32, the adopted daughter of John Negroponte, has been convicted for the second time in connection with the stabbing death of 24-year-old Yousuf Rasmussen in Montgomery County, the state's attorney's office announced on Thursday, Nov. 20. 

This was a retrial. In January of 2024, the Maryland Court of Appeals overturned Negroponte’s original second-degree murder conviction.

What started as a fun evening among several friends on Feb. 13, 2020, ended in death and devastation after Negroponte got into an argument with Rasmussen that turned deadly, according to court documents.

Officers were called at around 11:15 p.m. by Philip Guthrie on the night of the fatal stabbing, and were taken to an apartment in the back of a home in the 400 block of West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville.

Audio of the 911 call can be heard here.

Upon arrival, Guthrie directed the officers to the back of the residence, where they heard Negroponte shouting "I'm sorry" while lying on top of Rasmussen.

Both were covered in blood.

Negroponte had cuts to her hands, while Rasmussen suffered "an obvious" cutting/stabbing wound to his chest.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.

Body cam footage of the night of the stabbing can be viewed here.

According to prosecutors, it was determined that the three had been drinking margaritas and watching television when Negroponte and Rasmussen began bickering back and forth.

"Guthrie couldn't recall the exact issue, but felt it was inconsequential," court documents state. "Guthrie did note that Negroponte grabbed Rasmussen from behind and they lost balance and fell to the ground, where they began wrestling." 

Shortly thereafter, the three went back to watching TV and listening to music before tensions escalated again.

Rasmussen decided to leave, prosecutors said, but returned quickly to retrieve his phone. Guthrie attempted to call it to listen for the ringing, but could not hear the ringer.

Rasmussen then dropped his backpack to search for the phone, at which point Negroponte retrieved a knife from a kitchen drawer and lunged at the 24-year-old in what was described in court documents as "an aggressive manner." 

"Guthrie advised the knife was being aimed toward Rasmussen’s neck area and that he could see Rasmussen putting his arms up to protect his neck area," prosecutors said. 

"Guthrie then saw blood spurting from Rasmussen’s neck area as he fell to the floor with Negroponte atop him. Guthrie called 911 and waited for police arrival."

Negroponte was arrested and taken to police headquarters, where she admitted that the two "were arguing over a silly issue and that things calmed down before they amped up again." 

She told investigators that she only remembered removing a knife from Rasmussen's neck and lying on top of him, yelling not to die.

A kitchen knife with a white blade and green handle, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered just outside the residence, and a sheath was found on the kitchen floor.

“We thank our prosecution team and the homicide detectives with Montgomery County Police for their commitment to seeking justice for Yousuf Rasmussen and his family," State's Attorney John McCarthy said. 

"Today we are also grateful to the members of the jury who gave careful consideration to their decision as they deliberated for multiple days before reaching a verdict. We look forward to Negroponte finally being held accountable for her actions." 

When she is sentenced in February 2026, Negroponte will face up to 35 years in prison.

"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," his family said after the previous conviction. "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," they added.

"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.