NYC Judge Faces Backlash for Lenient Sentences in Unrelated Cases

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A Bronx judge is facing backlash for handing down lenient sentences in two unrelated cases - one involving a teenager who beat a homeless man to death, and another involving an ex-NYPD sergeant who fatally threw a cooler at a fleeing drug suspect. In 2018, Judge Guy Mitchell initially considered giving no jail time to Branlee Gonzalez, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted assault for the brutal beating death of a 69-year-old homeless man. Mitchell later sentenced Gonzalez to just 9 months in prison. More recently, Mitchell sentenced former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran to 3-9 years in prison for manslaughter, despite facing up to 15 years, for throwing a cooler that killed a fleeing drug suspect.

Why it matters

These cases have sparked outrage over the judge's perceived leniency, raising questions about his approach to sentencing and whether it reflects a broader pattern of going easy on certain defendants. The decisions have drawn criticism from prosecutors, victims' families, and the public, who argue the sentences do not fit the severity of the crimes.

The details

In the 2018 case, Branlee Gonzalez, then 19, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted assault for the beating death of 69-year-old Lucio Bravo. Mitchell initially considered giving Gonzalez no jail time, but later sentenced him to 1 1/3 to 4 years, which amounted to at least 9 months in prison. Prosecutors had sought at least 10 years, alleging Gonzalez was a gang member. In the more recent case, Mitchell sentenced former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran to 3-9 years in prison for manslaughter, after Duran fatally threw a picnic cooler at a fleeing drug suspect, Eric Duprey, in 2023. Duran's lawyers argued he acted to save other officers' lives, but Mitchell disagreed, saying the sentence would serve as a 'general deterrent' for other police officers.

• In May 2017, Branlee Gonzalez relentlessly beat 69-year-old Lucio Bravo, who allegedly catcalled Gonzalez's girlfriend.
• In 2018, Judge Guy Mitchell initially considered giving Gonzalez no jail time, but later sentenced him to 1 1/3 to 4 years.
• In August 2023, former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran fatally threw a picnic cooler at fleeing drug suspect Eric Duprey.
• In 2026, Judge Guy Mitchell sentenced Duran to 3-9 years in prison for manslaughter.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge's decisions in these cases have sparked outrage and calls for further scrutiny of his sentencing practices. It remains to be seen if there will be any formal review or disciplinary action taken against the judge.