On Thursday , a federal jury found a former employee of Los Angeles for providing drugs that caused the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The verdict was reached after a trial with testimony from many MLB players.
Eric Kay was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent and distribution of controlled substances leading to death.
After only a few hours of deliberation, the Texas panel found the ex-communications director for the Angels guilty.
Skaggs was fatally poisoned with a deadly combination of opioids, alcohol and drugs before his death on July 1, 2019, according to a medical examiner. According to Dr. Marc Krouse (Tarrant County deputy chief medical inspector), Skaggs choked on his vomit after he was intoxicated with ethanol, Fentanyl, and oxycodone.
The 27-year old was found in his Hilton hotel room in Southlake with no trauma and in bed.
Prosecutors claimed that Skaggs had a stash of pills in his hotel room. One blue pill, which looked like an oxycodone tablet, was found. Analysis revealed that it contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
Kay’s trial shed light on the use of drugs in baseball, with former Angels players Matt Harvey and Mike Morin as well as C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, Cam Bedrosian and C.J.
Rusty Hardin was an attorney representing the Skaggs families and stated in a statement that Thursday’s verdict was “the beginning to seeing justice served.”
Hardin stated that Eric Kay’s drug trafficking was well-known to many people within the Angels organization. Hardin also said that the trial resulted in Hardin’s tragic and unneeded death of one their most popular players.
“We are certain that Eric Kay knew exactly what the Angels were doing and that the Angels and his team are morally and legally responsible.” We look forward to holding the team responsible in the civil cases.
John Carpino, President of Los Angeles Angels, stated that the organization’s compassion goes out to all those who have been affected by the verdict.
Carpino stated Thursday that the players’ testimony was difficult for his organization to hear. It is a reminder of how drug abuse and addiction are often hidden. “From the moment Tyler died, our goal was to understand the causes and consequences of this tragedy.
According to the Justice Department, the verdict is “a sobering reminder that fentanyl killings”
U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham stated in a Thursday statement that anyone who deals with fentanyl – whether it’s on the streets or at a famous baseball stadium – puts their buyers at risk.
In a Thursday statement, the Skaggs family said that they were “very grateful” to the government for bringing this case to a fair conclusion.
“Tyler was the light in our family’s lives. His absence is irrevocable. Although we are relieved that justice has been served, today is a reminder of the darkest day in our family’s history.”
Kay faces between 20 and 25 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 28.
