A New York City police sergeant was convicted Friday of second-degree manslaughter in a case that has reignited debate over policing, use of force, and accountability in high-crime neighborhoods.
Judge Guy H. Mitchell found NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, 38, guilty in the 2023 death of Eric Duprey, a 30-year-old Bronx man who was fleeing police on a motorbike after selling $20 worth of cocaine to an undercover detective. The ruling came after a bench trial in which the judge weighed the circumstances surrounding a split-second decision made during an attempted arrest.
According to the facts presented in court, Duprey sped away on the motorbike immediately after the drug transaction. As he fled, Duran threw a cooler at him, striking Duprey and knocking him off the bike. Duprey later died as a result of the incident.
The conviction marks a rare moment in which an on-duty NYPD supervisor was found criminally responsible for actions taken during an arrest. It also underscores the intense scrutiny law enforcement officers face when pursuing suspects, even in cases that begin with illegal activity.
The incident originated with a street-level drug sale, a routine enforcement target in many parts of New York City where residents frequently complain about open-air drug dealing and its impact on quality of life. Duprey’s sale of cocaine to an undercover detective prompted police to move in, but the situation quickly escalated when he attempted to escape rather than comply.
Prosecutors argued that Duran’s decision to throw the cooler was reckless and directly led to Duprey’s death, crossing a legal line that justified the manslaughter charge. The judge ultimately agreed, concluding that the officer’s actions met the legal standard for second-degree manslaughter.
The defense had sought to frame the incident within the chaotic and dangerous reality of policing, where officers often must make rapid judgments while attempting to stop suspects who pose risks to themselves and others. Still, the court determined that the use of the cooler was unjustified under the circumstances.
The case highlights the difficult balance between enforcing the law and avoiding unnecessary harm. Supporters of law enforcement have long argued that officers are increasingly constrained in their ability to act decisively, particularly in cities like New York where crime enforcement is politically charged. At the same time, the justice system continues to emphasize that police officers, like all citizens, are bound by the law and can be held accountable when their actions result in death.
Judge Mitchell’s verdict closes the trial phase of the case but leaves broader questions lingering about pursuit tactics, training, and how officers are expected to respond when suspects flee. The ruling also comes as New York City grapples with rising concerns over public safety, drug crime, and the strain placed on police officers tasked with maintaining order under intense public scrutiny.
For many New Yorkers, the case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly routine police encounters can turn deadly — and how the legal system ultimately weighs responsibility when they do.
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