In a case that has elicited strong emotions throughout New York City, former NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for the death of 30-year-old Eric Duprey. The sentencing took place on Thursday in the Bronx, following Duran’s conviction in February for second-degree manslaughter.
The incident occurred in 2023 when Duran threw a picnic cooler at Duprey as he attempted to flee on a scooter, resulting in a fatal crash. During the court proceedings, Duran was visibly emotional as he and his attorneys urged the judge to consider his role as a father and mentor, along with his 15-year history of dedicated service in the police force. Duran also expressed remorse, apologizing to Duprey’s family in Spanish, saying, “I never wanted this to happen. I pray for you and your family.”
Following the sentencing, Duran’s mother and his partner, Oroyanis Velez, addressed the media outside the courthouse. Duran’s mother, through a translator, expressed her grief, stating, “I lost everything. But what I never lost was my faith.” Velez shared her feelings of skepticism regarding Duran’s apology, suggesting it came from a place of desperation knowing he would be imprisoned.
The courtroom was filled with law enforcement officers who showed their support for Duran, while activists from various groups, including Black Lives Matter Greater New York, gathered to vocalize their outrage over the sentence. Duran’s union, the Sergeants’ Benevolent Association, had previously circulated a petition advocating for no jail time, garnering over 11,000 signatures.
The presiding judge noted the considerable public sentiment surrounding the case, having received hundreds of letters supporting Duran. Many had requested he receive a sentence similar to that of Officer Peter Liang, who was convicted in 2016 for the manslaughter of unarmed civilian Akai Gurley and ultimately received probation.
While Duprey’s family and Black Lives Matter activists called for the maximum sentence of 15 years, Duran’s three-to-nine-year sentence makes him eligible for parole after just three years.
Following the sentencing, Duran’s union has enlisted attorney Arthur Aidala, known for successfully overturning major convictions, to appeal the ruling. Aidala criticized the sentence, suggesting that a civilian in similar circumstances might not have faced charges at all. He expressed confidence that the appeal would lead to a favorable outcome, stating that he hopes Duran will be released on bail while the appellate court reviews the case.
Currently, Duran is being held at Rikers Island as the legal proceedings continue. For more updates on local news and community issues, stay connected with hiphopraisedmetheblog.com.
