URGENT UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, jurors in the wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Angels heard conflicting testimony from key witnesses on Tuesday, raising critical questions about the team’s knowledge of drug use involving deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The trial is intensifying as the Skaggs family seeks $118 million in damages, alleging that the Angels are culpable in their loved one’s death.
During the proceedings in Santa Ana, California, a police detective, Delaney Green, revealed in a video deposition that Eric Kay, a former team employee currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence for his role in Skaggs’ death, claimed he had informed his boss about drug use involving both himself and Skaggs as early as 2017. This revelation directly contradicts earlier statements from Tim Mead, the former head of communications for the Angels, who testified he was unaware of any drug use within the team.
The stakes are high as the trial unfolds, with the Skaggs family accusing the Angels of negligence. The defense argues that Skaggs’ own reckless behavior and long-standing opioid abuse were the true causes of his tragic 2019 overdose. The conflicting accounts challenge the team’s assertion that they bore no responsibility for Skaggs’ struggles.
On the witness stand, Detective Green contradicted multiple Angels’ witnesses, including Mead, who insisted he had no knowledge of illicit activities. Green stated that Kay had disclosed prior knowledge to Drug Enforcement Agency investigators after Skaggs’ death, suggesting a network of complicity that could implicate higher-ups in the organization.
As the trial progresses, the defense presented witness Kelly Miller, Eric Kay’s sister, who disputed claims made by Kay’s ex-wife regarding conversations about drug use involving Angels’ officials. Miller testified that while she was present when a pill bottle fell from a car, there was “no conversation” about opioids and no mention of Skaggs’ name until after his death.
The courtroom drama escalated as the prosecution aimed to highlight the Angels’ alleged negligence, focusing on whether senior officials were aware of Kay’s drug use and Skaggs’ vulnerability during the fateful Dallas road trip when Skaggs died. The emotional weight of this case is palpable, as it not only involves legal arguments but also the tragic loss of a young athlete who battled addiction.
As the defense approaches the conclusion of its case later this week, including anticipated closing arguments, the jury is poised to deliberate on a case that could have far-reaching implications for the organization and its accountability regarding player welfare.
The next few days are critical as the trial heads towards a decisive conclusion, with all eyes on the courtroom as the future of the wrongful death lawsuit hangs in the balance. Share this update to keep others informed about this developing story.
