A Florida man who fatally stabbed his friend during a heated political argument about Donald Trump's business failures now faces the possibility of dying behind bars after a jury convicted him of murder.
Donald Jamesbrown Henry, 38, was found guilty of second-degree murder for killing Shawn Popp in what authorities describe as a shocking example of how political divisions can turn deadly, The Guardian reported.
The conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of nearly 17 years without parole, though Henry could receive life imprisonment when he faces sentencing in October.
The confrontation erupted on October 22, 2022, at the house of a friend that both men were visiting. According to court documents, Popp was smoking marijuana when he made a comment about "Trump going bankrupt" — a statement that apparently enraged Henry.
"Henry strongly believed that Donald Trump did not go bankrupt but instead chose the wrong individuals to do business with, which caused it to fail," investigators wrote in their sworn statement. The disagreement quickly escalated when Henry became convinced that Popp "was talking to him like he was stupid."
Henry grabbed a kitchen knife he had been sharpening and plunged the blade into Popp's chest. The victim managed to walk outside and cross the street before collapsing.
Henry attempted to claim self-defense, telling deputies that Popp's fists were "deadly weapons" and that his military family background and survival training "kicked in" during the fight. However, investigators found Henry's injuries were merely "superficial marks" that didn't justify deadly force.