Kay was found guilty of distributing the opioids that caused the death of the pitcher in 2019
Former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay has been found guilty in connection with the 2019 drug-related death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Kay was found guilty on counts of distributing opioids and causing the death of the 27-year-old pitcher.
Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas on July 1, 2019, before a scheduled game against the Rangers. Following the death, an autopsy was performed and the toxicology report showed traces of fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol in his system. The cause of death was listed as “alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone intoxication with terminal aspiration of gastric contents,” which in essence means choked on his own vomit due to intoxication. Kay had been charged with possessing and distributing opioids, a Schedule II controlled substance, and causing the opioid-related death of Skaggs. Kay was originally charged in August of 2020 and indicted by a federal grand jury in Texas in October of that same year.
Closing arguments in Kay’s Forth Worth trial concluded on Thursday, and the jury took only a few hours to return verdicts on all counts. Sentencing is set for June 28.
The trial included testimonies from current and former big-league players, including Matt Harvey, C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, and Cam Bedrosian, who all said they received opioid pills from Kay. Of particular note was the testimony of Harvey, who stated that he would on occasion provide Skaggs with Percocet pills, and that painkiller usage was common among players in 2019. He also told the court about how, after being told he wasn’t traveling with the Angels on what proved to be that 2019 road trip, he asked Kay for an oxycodone pill.
Harvey acknowledged during the trial that he had been granted immunity in exchange for his cooperation with the investigation, but he could face discipline by MLB should he sign with a team this offseason.
The Angels’ organization has maintained that no one in any position of authority knew about Skaggs’ drug use or anything else relating specifically to the situation.
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