Coban Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., has been sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in a deadly DUI. The sentencing occurred on Friday, with emotional testimonies, including one from his Michael himself.
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Michael Porter Jr. expressed his grief and said he wanted to switch places with his brother: “I wish I could trade places with you and take this off you, but I know if there’s anybody that will make it right and make it good if possible to come out of the situation, it’s you.” Coban Porter was arrested on January 22, 2023, following a crash in a neighborhood within the University of Denver, and initially pleaded not guilty in October 2023 but changed his plea to guilty in February on DUI charges. The crash happened when Porter was driving about 50 mph and ran a red light at South University Boulevard on eastbound Buchtel Boulevard, resulting in the death of 42-year-old Katharina Rothman, who was declared deceased at the scene. Her passenger, 47-year-old Jason Blanch, was seriously injured.
Coban said a statement during his sentencing, questioning why his life wasn’t taken instead of Rothman’s: “It was my choice. Ten times out of 10, I would rather it be me than her.” The victim’s mother expressed during her impact statement that the family had suffered a profound loss and she will “no longer get to make share any memories” with her daughter, as reported by FOX 31.
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The incident was described as a cautionary tale by Denver District Attorney Beth McCann and she noted the dangers of drinking and driving:
“Katharina’s death was a terrible tragedy and my heart breaks for her family and friends…We appreciate that Mr. Porter took accountability for his behavior from the beginning and expressed deep sorrow for his actions. However, given the severity of Mr. Porter’s crimes, the prison sentence he received is appropriate,”
Lawsuits were also filed against Porter by the Rothman and Blanch families in January. Documents claimed that Porter was overserved at a local bar and was visibly intoxicated before he left to drive. His car collided with Rothman’s Tesla as she drove as an Uber driver for Blanch.
In other news related to the Porter family, the NBA issued a lifetime ban to Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors following an investigation into game participation alterations linked to betting.
