Kofi Inkoom
Coban Porter, brother to Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. and former Raptors player Jontay Porter, received a six-year prison sentence for causing a fatal drunk-driving accident last year.
Porter, 22, admitted guilt to vehicular homicide and assault in February, facing a maximum of eight years in prison under a plea agreement.
Expressing remorse in court, Porter said,
“All I can really say is that I’m sorry.” He acknowledged his past recklessness, saying, “I never thought I’d be standing here. I thought I was invincible.” The tragic incident occurred when Porter, intoxicated, ran a red light, resulting in the death of Kathy Limon Rothman, 42, and serious injuries to a passenger.
During the emotional hearing, supporters described Porter as a hard worker full of remorse. Michael Porter Jr. shared his family’s shock upon learning about the accident, expressing empathy towards Rothman’s family.
Prosecutors pushed for the maximum sentence, highlighting Porter’s series of decisions leading to the crash. Porter admitted to his role, saying,
“He’s right, it wasn’t an accident. I chose to drive there, I chose to drink and I chose to try to drive home.”
Rothman’s family urged Porter to use his influence to raise awareness about drunk driving. Despite requests for an alternative sentence, the judge encouraged Porter to continue advocating against drunk driving while sentencing him to prison.
Porter’s family showed love and support as he was taken into custody. Meanwhile, legal action was taken against Porter and the bar where he drank that night.
In a separate incident, Porter’s older brother, Jontay Porter, faced an NBA ban for being involved in a betting scandal.