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In a case that has stirred both public emotion and debate in New York City, former police Sergeant Erik Duran was sentenced to a term of three to nine years in prison. This sentence comes after Duran was found guilty of causing the death of a suspect, Eric Duprey, by throwing a cooler at him during a pursuit in 2023.
The incident, which took place in the Melrose neighborhood of the Bronx, resulted in Duprey crashing his scooter and succumbing to his injuries. The tragic event has since become a flashpoint in discussions about police conduct and accountability.
In the aftermath of the sentencing, a petition garnered the support of over 11,000 police officers advocating against Duran’s imprisonment. Meanwhile, community members and activists expressed their disappointment, arguing that the sentence should have been harsher, aiming for a maximum of 15 years.
Despite his attorney’s immediate announcement of an appeal and a request for a one-week delay in the sentencing, Duran, aged 38, was denied a stay and was taken into custody. The state attorney general’s office, which took charge of the prosecution, had recommended the sentence that was ultimately handed down by the court.
The state attorney general’s office, which prosecuted the case, had asked for Duran to spend three to nine years behind bars.
Judge Guy Mitchell noted he had wide discretion in sentencing, from non-incarceration to up to 15 years in prison.
“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.”
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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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