Former Angels employee Eric Kay gets 22 years for Tyler Skaggs’ death
In 2019, Eric Kay, a former communications director with the Angels, was given a 22-year jail sentence for his role in the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. Kay was found guilty in February of both conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled narcotics and distribution of a controlled substance that resulted in death.
The 27-year-old pitcher’s body was discovered on July 1, 2019 in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas. His system included fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol. Kay was charged with procuring and distributing oxycodone tablets tainted with fentanyl to athletes. Current and former MLB players testified at his trial, claiming he had provided them with narcotic pills. Matt Harvey, C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, and Cam Bedrosian were among these sportsmen. Testimony and papers presented in court indicate that Kay also experimented with the substances.
According to CBS News in Fort Worth, Judge Terry Means stated he was “dreading” handing down Kay’s sentence because he felt the mandatory minimum of 20 years was too high. However, the judge reversed his decision after hearing recordings of phone calls and emails Kay allegedly sent from prison in which he insulted the judge, the jury, Skaggs, his family, and the prosecutors. Since the defendant “refusal to accept responsibility and even be remorseful for something you caused,” Judge Means extended the sentence by two years, as reported by the Washington Post.
“We are very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to investigate and prosecute Eric Kay. Today’s sentencing isn’t about the number of years the defendant received,” after the sentencing, Skaggs’ family issued a statement.
“The real issue in this case is holding accountable the people who are distributing the deadly drug fentanyl. It is killing tens of thousands of people every year in our country and destroying families along with it. We will continue the fight to hold responsible those who allowed Kay to provide a deadly drug to Tyler. But for their actions, Tyler would still be with us today.”