NEW YORK — A former New York City police sergeant was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for throwing a picnic cooler at Eric Duprey, a fleeing suspect, leading to Duprey's fatal crash on a motorized scooter.
Erik Duran, the ex-officer, had been convicted of manslaughter in connection with Duprey's death in August 2023. Duran claimed during the trial that he acted out of a desire to protect his colleagues from the oncoming scooter. In court, he expressed his regret, stating he took the job to save lives and felt devastated by the consequences of his actions.
Duprey's mother, Gretchen Soto, expressed her profound grief, sharing that she had been on a video call with her son just before his death and described him as more than just a case or a name.
Judge Guy Mitchell did not accept Duran's rationale that his actions were justified. Instead, he indicated that Duran’s decision to hurl the cooler stemmed from anger over Duprey attempting to escape. The judge emphasized the recklessness of Duran's actions, which led directly to Duprey's demise.
Duran was immediately taken into custody after the sentencing, and his attorney announced intentions to appeal the conviction, seeking bail pending the outcome.
The case has incited reactions from both law enforcement and accountability advocates, with thousands of officers reportedly signing a petition to request leniency for Duran. Demonstrations outside the courthouse featured calls for justice for Duprey while supporters of Duran urged recognition of the challenges faced by law enforcement in the field.
Duprey, a delivery driver with three young children, was unhelmeted at the time of the incident when he crashed following the strike from the cooler. Prosecutors argued that Duran acted recklessly instead of giving warnings to those nearby.
Soto's plea for justice underlined the emotional toll of losing her son unexpectedly, challenging the narrative presented by the police regarding his actions prior to the encounter.
Erik Duran, the ex-officer, had been convicted of manslaughter in connection with Duprey's death in August 2023. Duran claimed during the trial that he acted out of a desire to protect his colleagues from the oncoming scooter. In court, he expressed his regret, stating he took the job to save lives and felt devastated by the consequences of his actions.
Duprey's mother, Gretchen Soto, expressed her profound grief, sharing that she had been on a video call with her son just before his death and described him as more than just a case or a name.
Judge Guy Mitchell did not accept Duran's rationale that his actions were justified. Instead, he indicated that Duran’s decision to hurl the cooler stemmed from anger over Duprey attempting to escape. The judge emphasized the recklessness of Duran's actions, which led directly to Duprey's demise.
Duran was immediately taken into custody after the sentencing, and his attorney announced intentions to appeal the conviction, seeking bail pending the outcome.
The case has incited reactions from both law enforcement and accountability advocates, with thousands of officers reportedly signing a petition to request leniency for Duran. Demonstrations outside the courthouse featured calls for justice for Duprey while supporters of Duran urged recognition of the challenges faced by law enforcement in the field.
Duprey, a delivery driver with three young children, was unhelmeted at the time of the incident when he crashed following the strike from the cooler. Prosecutors argued that Duran acted recklessly instead of giving warnings to those nearby.
Soto's plea for justice underlined the emotional toll of losing her son unexpectedly, challenging the narrative presented by the police regarding his actions prior to the encounter.
