Sgt. Duran’s unjust sentencing: Letters to the Editor — April 11, 2026

The Issue: A Bronx judge sending Sgt. Erik Duran to prison ­­for killing a man fleeing from a 2023 drug bust.

Every time I think New York can’t sink deeper, it does.

Thanks to Judge Guy Mitchell, hard-working, crime-fighting cops like ex-Sgt. Erik Duran are going to prison, while gang members and murderers are set free to prey upon law-abiding citizens (“A Black Day for Blue,” April 10).

Congratulations, Attorney General Letitia James; you have done a wonderful job helping add to the problems of the city.

Just one more reason why I fled to a state that still takes crime seriously and prosecutes criminals, not hardworking cops.

Greg Cantiello

Parrish, Fla.

The biggest threat to our democracy is not President Trump or lefty communists.

The biggest threat is the judges appointed by liberals.

One man alone should never be able to render such a horrible decision as sentencing a hero cop to prison for doing his job, especially when the same judge gave only nine months to a punk who beat a homeless man to death.

There should always be at least a three-judge panel in such cases.

Daniel Hodge

Union, NJ

The criminal here is the judge who imposed this sentence on Duran.

It’s clear Duran did not want to kill Eric Duprey, but stop him from killing innocent pedestrians while escaping.

The whole police force should go on strike until this injustice is rectified.

Miriam Fiber

Teaneck, NJ

In the aftermath of ­George Floyd’s death, Mitchell signed a divisive New York State Judges Of Color statement urging colleagues to “be mindful of the impact of systemic racism or bias in fulfilling the court’s responsibility to ensure equal justice to all under the law.”

Clearly, these judges believe they have an obligation to act as social-justice warriors and enforce an extreme, anti-police, race-based ideology from the bench.

Duran wasn’t sent to prison because evidence proved him guilty beyond reasonable doubt, but because the cop-hating Democratic Party demanded it.

Mitchell is simply the stooge who delivered the sentence.

Charles Compton

The Bronx

Judge Mitchell said, “They had enough to investigate and arrest him on a different day.” What if he ran then? I guess the judge is suggesting arrests “by appointment only.”

Mike Cavanaugh

Long Beach

Judges like Guy Mitchell are the reason law-enforcement recruitment is critically low, and early retirement and retention are so high.

Duran showed remorse and needs retraining, not jail time.

How can these judges expect our streets to remain safe if there is the fear of going to prison for arresting criminals?

I’m sure a civil suit is on the way from this criminal’s family.

Greg Raleigh

Washington, DC

Mitchell actually had the nerve to treat the dirt bag as equal to the cop: both Hispanics from The Bronx with families.

Huh?

Duprey was a criminal with no regard for the innocent people he was about to run over.

Duran was a cop risking his life every day to keep people safe.

Carol Meltzer

Manhattan

I know many current NYPD officers and even more retired ones.

These men and women don’t do this job for glory and money.

They want to keep the public safe and secure.

How are police supposed to protect and serve the citizens when career criminals are allowed to run wild?

My prayers go out to Duran’s family, for they are paying the price for the idiocy of the woke court system.

Jean Cole

Juno Beach, Fla.

Mitchell atrociously sentenced Duran to prison for doing his job.

This sends a clear message to our brave policemen.

Why should they do their jobs and try to catch fleeing criminals when they could be sent to prison?

In the end, we the public will suffer due to this judge.

Saul Mishaan

Brooklyn

This judge should be removed from his position, but under Gov. Hochul that will never happen.

I say appeal — there is no way this should stand.

Philip Vallone

Ossining

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