The Porter family continues to make headlines this week, with the youngest brother, Coban, facing serious charges for a DUI offense.
Just days after Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA for violating gambling rules, Coban was sentenced to six years in prison for causing a fatal drunk-driving accident last year.
22-year-old Coban pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and assault in February, with the condition of a maximum eight-year sentence. Without the plea, he could have faced 12 years in prison.
In a Denver courtroom, Coban expressed remorse, saying, “All I can really say is that I’m sorry. I know that I’m never going to be able to right that wrong… I never thought I’d be standing here. I thought I was invincible. It wasn’t the first time I chose to drink and drive… I’m so sorry.”
The former University of Denver basketball player was driving under the influence when he crashed into another vehicle, killing 42-year-old Kathy Limon Rothman and injuring Jason Branch.
Prosecutors revealed that Coban was speeding and had a blood-alcohol level of .19, more than twice the legal limit.
Rothman, a mother and Uber driver, left behind a young son, leaving her family devastated by the loss.
Coban’s older brother, NBA player Michael Porter Jr., testified in court in support of Coban, praising his character and dedication.
Porter Jr. shared that Coban was instrumental in his own success as a basketball player, saying, “He would get up earlier than me, work out harder than me. I know it’s not often that a big brother looks up to a younger brother, but that is how it was for me.”
