The fatal crash in January 2023 in Denver resulted in the death of Kathy Limon Rothman and severe injuries to her passenger. Porter, responsible for the accident after running a red light and colliding with another vehicle, also faces an additional two-year sentence for the injuries inflicted on the passenger, to be served concurrently.
Reports from The Denver Post reveal that Porter was speeding and registered a blood alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
Having pleaded guilty in February to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, Porter struck a plea deal that capped his sentence at a maximum of eight years.
During Friday’s hearing, Michael Porter Jr. testified in support of his brother, expressing empathy and understanding for the situation. Others also offered words of support for the Rothman family.
Prior to the accident, Coban Porter had been a freshman player on the University of Denver men’s basketball team, showcasing promise with an average of 11.4 points during the 2021-22 season.
This sentencing follows the recent NBA announcement banning Jontay Porter, brother of Coban and Michael Porter Jr., due to violations of league rules related to betting activities.
Michael Porter Jr., visibly affected by the situation, skipped Nuggets’ practice on Friday to attend his brother’s sentencing. His teammates and coaches are providing support during this challenging time.
“It has not been easy for him,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “That’s why I give him credit, because he’s carrying so much in his heart and on his mind. For him to go out there and do the job that he’s doing, it speaks to how much strength that young man has.”
Amid the turmoil, discussions about Porter’s family circumstances remain absent in the locker room, according to Jamal Murray.
“I don’t think we’ve spoken to him about it. That’s just not something we talk about,” Murray said. “We’re just keeping it professional here and we all support him. He’s handling it really well. Obviously, it’s not easy. But yeah, we’re just letting him deal with it.”
