NYPD Sergeant Erik Duran has been convicted of Manslaughter in the Second Degree in New York. According to the Attorney General’s office, the conviction relates to an incident on August 23, 2023, in which Sgt. Duran, a member of the NYPD Narcotics Borough Bronx Tactical Response Unit, was found responsible for the death of Eric Duprey during an encounter involving a motorized scooter and a cooler. The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, announced the outcome.
Sgt. Duran, 38, was tried in a bench trial before Judge Guy Mitchell in the Bronx Supreme Court. He faces a potential sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison. Bail has been set at $300,000, or alternatively a partially secured bond of $500,000 with a $300,000 cash option. Sentencing is scheduled for March 19. Attorney General Letitia James offered condolences to the family and friends of Eric Duprey, noting that while the outcome cannot bring him back, it provides accountability in his case.
The case was investigated by the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) under New York Executive Law Section 70-b, which reviews incidents in which a law enforcement officer may have caused the death of an individual. The OSI conducts investigations regardless of whether the officer was on or off duty, and whether the deceased was armed, unarmed, in custody, or not. This process is intended to ensure accountability within law enforcement.
The legal proceedings involved a team from the Office of the Attorney General. Senior Investigative Counsel Joseph Bianco and Investigative Counsel Angel Chiohh managed the investigation, while Deputy Bureau Chief Daphna Frankel and Supervising Investigative Counsel Jessica Cepriano oversaw the prosecution. Detectives Santiago Molina, Luisa Giraldo, and retired Supervising Detective Walter Lynch led investigative efforts, supported by OSI Analysts Isabella Fratta and Payton Sapletal.
The community affected by Eric Duprey’s death continues to process the circumstances surrounding the incident. The conviction of Sgt. Duran highlights the legal accountability of law enforcement officers when their actions result in the loss of life.
