Hochul urged to pardon convicted ‘cooler cop’ Erik Duran by dozens of outraged NY pols: ‘Blatant miscarriage of justice’
More than three dozen New York state lawmakers, led by GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, who was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect that led to the suspect's death. The lawmakers argue the conviction represents a miscarriage of justice and could deter police from making split-second decisions in the line of duty. Duran, who was sentenced to 3-to-9 years in prison but released on bail during his appeal, has not yet applied for a pardon, as required by the state's clemency process.
- ▪Former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for throwing a cooler at a fleeing suspect, Eric Duprey, who died after crashing his motorbike.
- ▪A letter signed by 38 Republican assembly members calls on Governor Kathy Hochul to pardon Duran, calling the conviction a 'blatant miscarriage of justice'.
- ▪Bronx Supreme Court Justice Guy Mitchell sentenced Duran to 3-to-9 years in prison, stating the sentence should serve as a deterrent to other officers.
- ▪Duran was released on $300,000 bail pending his appeal after spending one week in prison, and his legal team is currently focused on the appeal process.
- ▪Governor Hochul’s office states that Duran must formally apply for a pardon for it to be considered under New York’s clemency procedures.
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Metro Dozens of NY pols call on Hochul to pardon convicted ‘cooler cop’ Erik Duran: ‘Blatant miscarriage of justice’ By David Propper and Vaughn Golden Published April 30, 2026, 6:35 p.m. ET More than three dozen state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to pardon ex-NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran of his manslaughter conviction – slamming the case against him as a “blatant miscarriage of justice.” GOP state Assemblyman Matt Slater sent Hochul the letter, signed by nearly 40 of his colleagues, pleading with her to grant clemency to Duran, who was sentenced to at least three years behind bars for fatally flinging a cooler at a fleeing drug suspect.
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