A New York City police sergeant now faces up to fifteen years in prison after a stunning manslaughter conviction. Erik Duran, a 38-year-old NYPD sergeant, was found guilty Friday for the death of Eric Duprey, a man fleeing arrest after a drug sting gone wrong.
The tragic events unfolded in August 2023 in the Bronx. Duprey, suspected of selling $20 worth of cocaine to undercover officers, sped away on a scooter, weaving along a sidewalk. Duran reacted in a moment that would forever alter both their lives – and change the landscape of accountability within the NYPD.
Surveillance footage captured the harrowing scene. As Duprey approached a group of people, Duran grabbed a red plastic cooler and hurled it with force, striking Duprey in the head. The impact caused Duprey to lose control of the scooter, leading to a devastating crash.
Duprey was thrown from the scooter, colliding with a tree before the vehicle slammed into a metal barricade and a parked car. Despite immediate response, he was pronounced dead minutes later. The incident sparked immediate scrutiny and a complex legal battle.
This case marks a watershed moment: Duran is the first NYPD officer in a decade to be convicted of a crime for an on-duty killing. The decision came from a judge, after Duran opted to waive his right to a jury trial, and was prosecuted by the New York Attorney General’s office.
During the three-week trial, Duran testified he believed Duprey posed an imminent threat to his fellow officers, claiming he threw the cooler to prevent a potential tragedy. He stated, “I thought he was going to kill my guys.”
However, Judge Guy Mitchell rejected this defense, concluding that Duran’s use of force was not justified. The judge determined the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the sergeant’s actions were not legally permissible.
The courtroom was charged with emotion as the verdict was read, divided between uniformed officers supporting Duran and Duprey’s grieving family and friends. Duprey’s partner, Pearl Velez, mother to his two children, expressed relief, stating, “I never lost faith…that justice is going to happen.”
The Sergeants Benevolent Association vehemently disagreed with the ruling, calling it a “miscarriage of justice” and warning it would discourage officers from using necessary force. They maintain Duran’s innocence and believe the verdict contradicts the evidence presented.
Duran’s record reveals a history of service, with numerous commendations for excellent police work since joining the NYPD in 2010. However, it also includes a substantiated complaint from 2022 regarding abuse of authority during a traffic stop, a detail that added another layer to the complex case.
The sentencing is scheduled for March 19th, leaving a city grappling with questions of police accountability, the use of force, and the delicate balance between protecting officers and ensuring justice for all.
