Slater urges Hochul to pardon former NYPD sergeant 

Assemblyman Matt Slater is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to grant a pardon to Mahopac resident and former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran following his recent conviction and sentencing. 

In a letter to the governor, Slater urged clemency for Duran, citing concerns that the case represents a miscarriage of justice and pointing to the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

Duran, described in the letter as a decorated officer, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter by a judge—not a jury—in February. The conviction stemmed from an incident during a “buy and bust” drug operation in the Bronx, in which the suspect, Eric Duprey, fled on a motor scooter. Duran tossed a cooler at him, knocking him off the bike resulting in Duprey’s death. 

Slater contended that Duprey’s escape attempt was a “dangerous and rapidly evolving situation.”  

In the letter, Slater said Duran acted in the line of duty with the intent to prevent harm to fellow officers and civilians. He noted that the former sergeant was sentenced to three to nine years in prison following the conviction. 

“This is a case where a law enforcement officer was forced to make a split-second decision to protect lives,” Slater said. “When officers act in good faith to prevent immediate danger, we must ensure they are treated fairly under the law.” 

Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra also voiced support for clemency. 

“It’s a backwards world when a cop-killer avoids a murder charge in the fatal shooting of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller, yet Sgt. Duran is sent to prison as a ‘deterrent’ to other officers,” Ra said. “A deterrent to what—doing their jobs? It’s absurd.  

“This is not the world we have to live in. Gov. Hochul has the authority to correct this injustice and restore balance to our system,” he continued. “New York should be a place where criminals are held accountable and police are supported in protecting the public. Granting Sgt. Duran a pardon would send a clear message that public safety still matters.” 

Slater’s letter asks the governor to use her clemency authority to pardon Duran, arguing that the circumstances of the case and the officer’s intent warrant reconsideration. 

Article provided by Assemblyman Slater’s office