DENVER — Inside a standing-room-only courtroom Friday morning a Denver District Court Judge sentenced a former DU basketball player to six years in the Colorado Department of Corrections for killing a woman while driving drunk - while also urging him to "make good."
"My daughter's life was taken by a man who should have listened to what his parents probably told him long ago - not to drink and drive," said Connie Johnson the mother of Katharina Rothman who was killed in the January 2023 crash. "His choice caused my grandson to lose a mother."
Coban Porter, the younger brother of Denver Nuggets player Michael Porter Jr., admitted in court that he was drunk when he ran a red light on Jan. 22, 2023, at the intersection of South University Boulevard and East Buchtel Boulevard and struck Rothman's vehicle - killing her.
"It wasn't an accident," he told the court. "I chose to drink and chose to drove home. I didn't mean to hurt her. I hope you know that."
He also said it wasn't the first time he had chosen to drink and drive and apologized that it took a loss of life for him to learn a lesson he knew but was "ignorant" of.
"Nothing I say is going to change anything I did - or make any of you feel better. All I can really say is that I'm sorry," he said. "I hope whatever comes with sentencing - it brings you all a little bit of peace."
An arrest affidavit from the Denver Police Department shows Porter was speeding, ran a red light, smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech. Rothman was driving for Uber at the time of the crash. Her passenger, Jason Blanch, was seriously hurt in the crash.
"This pain and trauma have become my worst reality," Johnson, Rothman's mother, said. "I stand before you - but I am elsewhere. My life ended with my sweet innocent daughter."
Michael Porter Jr., Coban's oldest brother, was among several of his family members who spoke. He said he was the first to learn about the crash - and had to let other family members know.
"It's not often that a big brother looks up to a younger brother - but it happened to me," he said.
He explained that his younger brother worked harder and trained harder than him and pushed him to be better.
"As the oldest brother in the family - I wish it was me and not Coban - I know if there is anyone who will make it right - it is you. I love you, and I believe in you."
Multiple people who spoke on behalf of Rothman's family said they don't hate Porter - but expressed sadness, disappointment, and anger over his choices.
"He [Porter] had a very bright future ahead of him - that was gone in just a few seconds - in a matter of seconds - lives changed forever. Nothing will bring Kathy back," said her dad Phillip Beach. "My hope is Porter will share the awful tragedy he caused. I suppose he will find his way."
Porter's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, noted that from the beginning he expressed deep remorse - and "demanded" that he arrange a meeting with the victim's family so he could personally apologize.
Steinberg said he advised against that due to the ongoing case against him - but said Porter insisted that he make the meeting happen if he wanted to remain his attorney. He also told the court that since the crash - Porter has not driven a car or had a drop of alcohol.
In February, he pleaded guilty to two felony counts. He had been charged with multiple felony counts including vehicular homicide related to the crash that killed Rothman.
He pleaded guilty to:
- Vehicular homicide - DUI
- Vehicular assault- DUI
Charges of vehicular homicide-reckless driving and vehicular assault-reckless were dismissed and as a result of his plea deal, the sentence was capped at eight years.
Following the hours-long hearing the judge sentenced him to six years for the vehicular homicide charge and two years for the vehicular assault charge. They will be served concurrently and once released, he will serve a mandatory three years of parole.
She noted that family members on both sides called upon him to use his experience to "educate others" and said, "I want to encourage you to make good on that."
Two lawsuits were filed related to the crash. Both suits seek unspecified damages from Porter and the Crimson and Gold Tavern. The suits allege that workers at the Tavern served Porter even though he was in “a visibly intoxicated state.”
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