Overview
- Judge Guy Mitchell found Duran guilty of second-degree manslaughter for the 2023 death of Eric Duprey, who crashed after Duran threw a cooler during a Bronx narcotics operation.
- Security and body-camera footage and medical findings were central to prosecutors’ case that the cooler toss was an unreasonable, criminal use of force.
- Duran testified he made a split-second decision to protect officers and bystanders, but the judge rejected that justification; an assault charge was dismissed during trial.
- The conviction carries a potential sentence of five to 15 years in prison, and the NYPD said it fired Duran after the verdict; sentencing is scheduled for March 19.
- Reactions split quickly, with activists praising accountability and the Sergeants Benevolent Association denouncing a miscarriage of justice and vowing to pursue legal challenges.