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.
“At a time when law enforcement officers are asked to make split-second decisions to keep our communities safe, we must also ensure they are treated with fairness when those decisions are made in good faith,” wrote Slater, whose district includes Duran’s Putnam County home.
“[Duran’s] actions were taken in the line of duty to protect others from immediate harm, and we believe justice and fairness warrant your consideration,” the Tuesday letter states…