NEW YORK (PIX11) – The former NYPD sergeant sentenced in the deadly cooler case in the Bronx was released from prison pending an appeal, according to officials.

The NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association paid former cop Erik Duran’s bail, the union said Friday. He will remain free throughout the appeal process.

Duran was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey in 2023.

In February, Duran was convicted of second-degree manslaughter after throwing a picnic cooler that struck Duprey as he tried to flee on a scooter. The crash killed him.

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“We are very pleased but not surprised that the Appellate Division found that there are legitimate appellate issues in Sgt. Duran’s case.  It was obvious to the Court that he is not a flight risk nor a danger to the community and was entitled to be at home with his family during the dependency of the appeal,” said Duran’s lawyer, Arthur Aidala.

Black Lives Matter Greater New York has planned a rally on Friday to protest the appeal outside the Appellate Division on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

“The decision to grant Erik Duran bail pending appeal is an appalling miscarriage of justice that reveals the deep rot within our legal system. After a fair trial and a historic conviction, the system has once again chosen to prioritize the comfort of a killer with a badge over the safety and dignity of our community,” BLM organizers said.

Before Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell handed down the sentence, Duran was visibly crying as his attorneys told the judge that Duran should be spared jail time because of his role as a dad and mentor, and because of his 15-year history of awarded police service.

Duran also apologized to Duprey’s family.

“Ma’am, I’m really sorry for the loss of your child,” said Duran, whose family immigrated to The Bronx from Ecuador, in Spanish. “I never wanted this to happen,” he continued, adding, “I pray for you and your family.”

Mira Wassef is an award-winning reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She joined the PIX11 News digital team in 2022. See more of her work here.

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