Category: CNN Regional

By Alexa Herrera, Doug Williams, Jesse Zanger, Alice Gainer

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A New York police sergeant has been found guilty of second-degree manslaughter for killing a fleeing suspect after throwing a cooler at him.

NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran was convicted by Bronx Supreme Court Judge Guy Mitchell on Friday in the death of Eric Duprey, 30, during the August 2023 incident.

Duran, 38, faces up to 15 years in prison and will be sentenced on March 19. He was also facing a criminally negligent homicide charge, but it was waived.

The judge, who heard closing arguments on Tuesday, granted $300,000 cash bail, which Duran has until Feb. 10 to post to remain out of custody before sentencing.

Duran pleaded not guilty in his bench trial. There was no jury, just a judge hearing arguments and rendering the verdict.

Judge saw video of fatal police encounter The fatal incident happened when police were trying to arrest Duprey for a drug deal in the Bronx when he took off on a motorized scooter down the sidewalk. Duprey, a father of three, had just sold drugs to an undercover officer and was fleeing arrest, police said at the time.

Video shows Duran hurling a picnic cooler at Duprey’s head to try and get him to stop.

Duprey, who was going 30 miles per hour and not wearing a helmet, then swerves and slides under a vehicle. He later died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Sergeant testified in his defense Duran testified that he was trying to protect fellow officers, but Judge Mitchell ultimately ruled he had not done so appropriately.

The sergeant said that Duprey was going to crash into officers at the scene.

“All I had time for was to try again to stop or to try to get him to change directions. That’s all I had the time to think of,” he said.

Duran’s lawyers argued he did not know whether the cooler was full when he threw it. They said Duprey died because of a “series of bad choices,” including selling drugs, driving an illegal motorbike and driving on the sidewalk.

The defense said other people would’ve been killed because of Duprey’s reckless driving.

“He wasn’t trying to get away. He was ambushing them,” the defense said.

Prosecutors told the judge that Duran was trying to “save an arrest,” not lives, since Duprey was not an imminent threat. They argued it would have been more reasonable to yell “Look out!” or “Watch out!”

“This defendant’s actions were reckless, unreasonable, unnecessary. They were criminal,” prosecutors said.

N.Y. attorney general’s statement After the verdict was read, Duprey’s wife stood next to a cardboard cutout of her late husband.

“I have no words to tell you right now,” Orlyanis Velez said. “Three years waiting for justice.”

“A court in the Bronx said Black lives matter,” said Hawk Newsom, co-founder of BLM Greater NY.

The case was prosecuted by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office.

“Though it cannot return Eric to his loved ones, today’s decision gives justice to his memory,” James said in a statement.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Addison Howard

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    OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WRCB) — Warning, some of this content may be disturbing.

Darron Lee, a former NFL linebacker now charged with killing his girlfriend in Ooltewah, seemingly attempted to clean blood stains in multiple areas of the house, according to an affidavit obtained by Local 3 News.

First responders arrived on scene of what was called in as a CPR in progress on Thursday, February 5 just after 1:30pm. Lee told them that he had found her unconscious on the couch, and thought that she had perhaps fallen in the shower, but his statements didn’t line up with the “concerning conditions” within the home, the arrest report says.

Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office say they found blood spatter on the walls and flooring in multiple locations, as well as broken glass scattered across the kitchen area. They also observed cleaning materials in “abnormal places.”

Deputies detained Lee and took him to their operations center for questioning. They say he invoked his rights and did not speak with them.

While collecting his clothing, they suspected he had been in a violent fight, as there were scratches on his face, hands, and chest. They also saw blood inside the protective case of his cellphone. All of his possessions were seized as evidence.

HCSO detectives and the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s office processed the murder scene around 6:30pm that same day. The victim had multiple kinds of trauma to her body, including a one-inch stab wound to the abdomen, a large dark bruise to her head, black eyes with heavy swelling, multiple bruises on her arms and torso, a circular human bite mark on her shoulder, as well as dried blood on her face and neck.

The medical examiner’s office transported her body to the forensic center for an autopsy while detectives collected more evidence across the house. They found alcohol, narcotics, and a gun inside. There were no signs of forced entry.

Detectives used a forensic team to analyze the scene, which found blood stains but no visible blood. The arrest report says these findings indicate an attempt to remove, alter, or conceal evidence related to the crime.

Lee is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, February 11.

He played college football for Ohio State and was later drafted in the first round of the NFL draft to the New York Jets. Lee also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl Championship in 2020. He also played for the Buffalo Bills, and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Our NBC affiliate in Columbus, Ohio reports that last year, Lee accepted a plea deal in a domestic violence case.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Addison Howard
ahoward@local3news.com
4234983719

By Nash Darragh

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    MADISON, Wis. (WISC) — MADISON, Wis. — Students and Madison residents braved howling winds Friday afternoon to participate in the second day of the Wisconsin Winter Carnival at the UW Memorial Union, continuing a tradition that has drawn crowds to Lake Mendota for more than eight decades.

The annual event, now in its 86th year, offers dozens of winter activities despite frigid conditions. Participants tested their skills on a nine-hole hockey shooting course, learned ice fishing techniques and more.

“Winter carnival has been part of the Wisconsin Union since 1940, so about 86 years we’ve been bringing this tradition to downtown Madison,” said Shauna Breneman, the Wisconsin Union’s communication officer.

One of the carnival’s most recognizable features returned this year: an inflatable Lady Liberty head and torch that matches the scale of the actual Statue of Liberty-on-Liberty Island in New York City. The display has become an iconic symbol of the Memorial Union’s winter celebration.

“Lady Liberty began in 1979 as a prank.” Breneman said. “We brought it back in an inflatable version in 2019.”

The carnival continues Saturday with an expanded lineup of activities designed to celebrate Wisconsin’s winter culture. Organizers have planned more than 20 events for the final day.

“Tomorrow folks can enjoy more than 20 winter-themed events, everything from a chili cook-off to maple taffy making to carriage rides,” Breneman said.

The event consistently attracts a diverse crowd that includes current University of Wisconsin students, alumni and Madison community members. Many attendees return year after year to participate in the longstanding tradition.

“This is great and it brings back memories from when I was in Hoofers. We would do the rail jam — really great to be out here and see everything,” said Katrina Olson, a UW Madison Alumni.

The Wisconsin Winter Carnival serves as both a celebration of the state’s winter culture and a community gathering point that bridges generations of university affiliations. The event’s longevity demonstrates its importance to both the campus community and the broader Madison area.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Samantha Calderon
scalderon@wisctv.com
(608) 277-5133

By KABC Staff

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    INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) — New video shows a day care worker throwing a shoe at a 5-year-old girl with special needs in Inglewood.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched an investigation into the video, which was shared on Facebook by a parent.

The video shows a woman at the Destiny Development Center removing her shoe and throwing it at the child.

The girl can be heard crying after being hit. The incident occurred on Jan. 16.

The day care’s director released a statement, which was shared on the center’s Instagram page, in which she apologized and said the staff involved have been fired.

You can read the full statement below:

“I wanted to begin by apologizing to the parent, the child in the video, who was abused and failed by the staff that were also in the class who are all entrusted caregivers of this student, and all of you who had to witness this traumatic experience,” she said in the video. “This video was also very hard for me and my supporting staff to watch. I understand the hurt, frustration, of the mother. I’m a mother, a Black mother, a Black educator.

During the interview with our previous employee – and continued employment – the staff never presented behaviors that … behaviors to this child or others in her care that would warn us to assume that she would harm a child. When we hire staff, we cannot predict that there may be a day that they’ll decide to abuse a child.

When we hire staff, we also can’t predict if the staff member will fail to report an incident when it occurs. However, every staff, every single one of them, is required to agree and train, before stepping foot into our school. As you can see here in the photo. As a business owner and the director of the center for the past 15 years, it is always, always, always been our number one priority to protect, love and train every child that walks through our doors.

Not once have we had an incident of this nature where a child was hit by a teacher until now. Upon receiving a report from the parent, actions were immediately taken the same day it was reported to ensure the safety of that child and every other child in our care. We conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing staff, getting verbal and written statements, and ultimately, watching hours upon hours of footage for outdoor area, indoor area, to pinpoint the date, time and event of what actually happened.

During this time, we continue to follow every required procedure by the state and update the parent of any findings. After viewing the very, very disheartening video footage, it was turned over to the state and they continue their investigation and a notice was updated and provided to the parent.

Just like the Caregiver Background Check bureau and Department of Justice can’t read the mind of a potential hire – neither can we. I really, really wish we could, but she was approved before stepping into my facility. So to answer some of the questions – no we don’t hire child abusers. No we don’t hire racist staff.

We do not – I repeat – we do not … we do not agree with the actions of the teachers. Yes, 100%, I love that little one – and her sister. They have been students for some time here in our school, and this was a safe place for them. I provided a shoulder for them. This would have never happened had I been in the classroom.

This would have never happened if some of my other staff had been in the classroom. We do not stand for abuse and neglect of a child of any kind. All staff have been terminated that were involved. As with every investigation, things take time upon finding evidence.

We have and will continue to follow rules and regulations as required as the investigation continues with the authorities that it has been handed over to. Again, we are deeply sorry.

And this is a terrible incident and it does not define our school. It does not define what we stand for. It does not define what I’ve taken 15 years to build. It does not define the character of who Destiny Development is and for our years of service that we have provided to the community and to the thousands of families that we’ve served over the years. So again, on behalf of Destiny Development Center, and myself as a director, we offer our sincere apologies to the parent, to the child, and may she get the justice that she deserves.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.