NEW YORK — Former New York City police Sgt. Erik Duran was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for throwing a cooler at a fleeing drug suspect in 2023, killing him.<\/p>\n
At least 11,000 officers signed a petition pushing for Duran to not go to jail, but community members and activists said they were hoping Duran would get 15 years<\/p>\n
Duran, 38, was taken into custody, after his attorney immediately announced he was appealing and asked for a one week stay of the sentence. He was denied.<\/p>\n
Eric Duprey, 30, was killed in 2023 after Duran threw a picnic cooler at him as Duprey fled on a scooter in the Melrose section of the Bronx. Duprey crashed and died from his injuries.<\/p>\n
The state attorney general’s office, which prosecuted the case, had asked for Duran to spend three to nine years behind bars.<\/p>\n
Judge Guy Mitchell noted he had wide discretion in sentencing, from non-incarceration to up to 15 years in prison.<\/p>\n
“I believe the sentence will deter other officers when they arrest suspects,” Mitchell said in explaining the prison term.<\/p>\n
Mitchell said Duran “was upset the suspect was getting away” and thought “the only way to stop him was to throw the cooler.”<\/p>\n