Los Angeles Angels staffer Eric Kay was discovered responsible Thursday on expenses he supplied the medication that killed pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
The Texas jury additionally discovered Kay responsible on one rely of drug distribution leading to demise and one rely of drug conspiracy. He faces as much as life in jail.
Skaggs was 27 when he was discovered lifeless on July 1, 2019, having choked to demise on his personal vomit, earlier than the beginning of what was imagined to be a four-game collection towards the Texas Rangers.
A coroner’s report discovered a poisonous mixture of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system.
Kay, a public relations director for the baseball staff, was accused of offering the pitcher with counterfeit oxycodone tablets that contained fentanyl. On the time, Kay had simply rejoined the staff on the street after a stint in rehab.
The responsible verdict got here down after lower than three hours of deliberation.
Skaggs’ widow and mom hugged after the decision was introduced. Kay nodded in direction of household and buddies within the courtroom as he eliminated his jacket and tie and was positioned in handcuffs.
The trial within the Northern District of Texas included testimony from 5 main league baseball pitchers who all mentioned they’d acquired oxycodone from Kay whereas they have been a part of the Angels’ bullpen.
Amongst them, Matt Harvey, former Mets pitcher and All-Star, acknowledged receiving oxycodone tablets from Kay. In the course of the testimony, he additionally admitted to cocaine use whereas with the Mets.
Harvey mentioned he testified solely as a result of he’d been granted immunity from prosecution.
Former Angels’ pitchers Cam Bedrosian and Blake Parker testified as nicely, saying Skagg’s demise made them cease utilizing oxycodone.
“All of these individuals have been one capsule away from dying alone in a lodge room from a drug that Eric Kay gave them,” lead prosecutor Lindsey Beran mentioned in her closing argument.
Reagan Wynn, an legal professional for Kay, expressed his disappointment after the trial.
“We thought there have been many causes to doubt the federal government’s case,” he mentioned. “It is a tragedy all the way in which round. Eric Kay is on the brink of do, minimal, 20 years in a federal penitentiary and it goes up from there. And Tyler Skaggs is gone.”
Skaggs’ household mentioned the decision introduced them “reduction,” in an announcement reported by the Los Angeles Occasions.
“Tyler was the sunshine of our household,” the assertion mentioned. “He's gone, and nothing can ever convey him again. We're relieved that justice was served, though at the moment is a painful reminder of the worst day within the lifetime of our household.”
With Submit wires
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