Former NYPD sergeant sentenced to 3 to 9 years for killing Bronx man with cooler
The incident was caught on surveillance video. It showed Duran, in plain clothes, throwing a cooler at Duprey as he tried to get away on a motorbike.
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A former NYPD sergeant known as the 'cooler killer' has been sentenced to three to nine years in state prison for killing Bronx resident Eric Duprey. It's a case that drew national attention and intense reactions both inside and outside the courtroom.
Judge Guy Mitchell sentenced Erik Duran. Moments before the sentence was read, Duran addressed Duprey's family and apologized directly to his mother, who was visibly emotional in court.
After the sentencing, Duran was taken into custody and transported to Rikers. He is the first member of the NYPD in a decade to be convicted of killing a civilian.
Outside the courtroom, Duprey's family and supporters, including Black Lives Matter activists, reacted to the decision.
RELATED: NYPD sergeant guilty of manslaughter for killing Bronx man with cooler
"I'm never going to sleep well… but I'm OK right now," said Duprey's mother, Gretchen Soto.
Duprey’s wife, Orlyanis Velez, said, "He deserved the maximum… but that does get the justice, so we can sleep well."
Supporters said they accept the sentence, noting that officers are often not held accountable.
"He will get what he deserves," said Hawk Newsome, of Black Lives Matter Greater New York. "The court said that Eric's life had value."
Police union leaders and Duran's defense team criticized the outcome. Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong called it "the darkest day of our profession."
Defense attorney Arthur Aidala said, "We're here because it's a police officer… not only gets wrongly convicted, but he gets a sentence that is so out of step with what's been going on in law enforcement."
Aidala says the defense plans to appeal and will ask the Appellate Division to grant bail while the appeal is pending. If granted, Duran could be released during the appeals process. What happens during the appeal process will determine when and how long he remains in custody.
