NEW YORK \u2013 The New York Islanders professional hockey team is under scrutiny for hosting a fundraiser in this week\u2019s season finale for recently convicted former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran of Mahopac.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old Putnam resident was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to prison for the killing of 30-year-old Eric Duprey when he tossed a cooler at the fleeing suspect who was riding a scooter at the time during a drug bust that went awry in the Bronx.<\/p>\n
The Islanders donated a portion of their 50\/50 raffle towards Duran\u2019s legal defense urging fans to \u201cjoin the fight for justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vincent Vallelong, president of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, told New York City media that the team called wanting to set up the raffle and give a percentage to the sergeant for his defense.<\/p>\n
Duran is challenging his three-to-nine-year prison sentence.<\/p>\n
Civil rights groups opposed the team\u2019s offer.<\/p>\n
Civil Rights advocate Fred Brewington said, \u201cIf the Islanders want to engage in the public debate of taking a life, they need to stop playing hockey and begin to engage in societal concerns that impact all communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Islanders declined to comment Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 50\/50 raffle took in $44,890, according to the Islander\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
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