Court Backs Conviction in Skier-Collision Killing

A Colorado appeals court in Denver upheld the nation’s first conviction of a skier for killing another person in a collision on the slopes.

Nathan Hall was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide two years ago in the 1997 death of Alan Cobb, a 33-year-old carpenter who died of head injuries after Hall plowed into him while skiing fast in Vail.

Hall was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years’ probation and was ordered to pay $18,000 to Cobb’s family.

Hall, 23, argued that the jury should have been able to consider the less-serious charge of reckless endangerment. But the Court of Appeals ruled that he was not entitled to the lesser charge because he admitted his conduct resulted in death.