In New York, Erik Duran, a former sergeant with the NYPD, has been handed a prison sentence ranging from three to nine years. This comes after he fatally injured a suspect by throwing a cooler at him during a chase in 2023.
Despite a petition signed by over 11,000 police officers advocating for Duran’s freedom, community members and activists expressed a desire for a harsher penalty, hoping for a 15-year term.
Duran, aged 38, was taken into custody following the verdict, as his attorney promptly filed an appeal and requested a one-week delay in the sentencing, which was rejected.
The incident occurred in the Melrose neighborhood of the Bronx, where 30-year-old Eric Duprey died after colliding with a scooter when Duran hurled a picnic cooler at him during his escape.
Prosecutors from the state attorney general’s office recommended a prison term of three to nine years for Duran.
Judge Guy Mitchell highlighted his broad discretion in determining the sentence, which could have ranged from no jail time to as much as 15 years.
“I believe the sentence will deter other officers when they arrest suspects,” Mitchell said in explaining the prison term.
Mitchell said Duran “was upset the suspect was getting away” and thought “the only way to stop him was to throw the cooler.”
He said Duran “took it upon himself” to pick up the cooler and throw it at Duprey.
“Suspects sometimes get away and can be captured later,” the judge said. “He could have been caught on a different day.”
He said the sentence impacts both families, the difference being Duprey will not be here.
Duran apologized to Duprey’s family and addressed them in Spanish.
“I regret everything that happened; I’m sorry for the loss of your child. I never wanted this to happen,” he said. “I’m asking for the chance to be for my family, for my kids”
His attorney admitted it was a reckless decision but said, “Erik Duran should not be incarcerated for a decision he made in 2.5 seconds” … “a decision that resulted in unintended consequences.”
Duran was the first NYPD officer in a decade to be found guilty of killing a civilian while on duty. He was fired immediately after February’s guilty verdict. He was found guilty of manslaughter.
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