NEW YORK − A New York judge convicted a police sergeant of second-degree manslaughter for throwing a cooler at a man’s head during a fatal 2023 chase.
Bronx County Judge Guy Mitchell rendered his Feb. 6 verdict against New York City Police Sgt. Erik Duran, 38, for causing the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, which investigates police killings. Duprey, a delivery driver, had three children.
“I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Eric Duprey,” James, whose office prosecuted the case in Bronx Criminal Court, said in a statement. “Though it cannot return Eric to his loved ones, today’s decision gives justice to his memory.”
James’ office said the conviction carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Duran reportedly faced assault and criminally negligent homicide charges, but those were dropped in the bench trial. Duran opted for a decision by a judge instead of a Bronx jury, the New York Post reported.
After the Feb. 6 felony conviction, the NYPD fired Duran in accordance with state law, the department said in an email. Duran, a member of an NYPD narcotics unit in the Bronx, had been suspended without pay.
