The judge in Eric Kay’s trial changed his mind about the 22-year sentence, why?
It’s taken more than three years, but the former exec has finally been brought to justice for in hand in the pitcher’s tragic death.
Though the ruling won’t bring the Angels pitcher back, there is some degree of justice in the idea, that an individual who was responsible for facilitating his ill-fated habit, has now been punished.
Angels’ Eric Kay to serve 22 years in prison for role in Tyler Skaggs death
According to reports, former Angels communications director Eric Kay has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, for his involvement in the drug-overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Incidentally, Kay was found guilty in February for the distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The sentencing, however, brings to an end a tragic episode for both the franchise and of course Skaggs’ family.
During travel for a road game with the Angels, the 27-year-old pitcher was found dead in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas on July 1st, 2019. It was later discovered that Skaggs had traces of fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol in his system. Kay was later accused of obtaining oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and distributing them to players. The trial that ensued, is understood to have included testimonies from both current and former MLB players, all of whom disclosed that they had in fact received opioids from Kay. Matt Harvey, C.J. Cron, Cam Bedrosian and Mike Morin were among the players who testified. As per testimony, Kay also engaged in use of the drugs himself.
What do we know about Eric Kay’s trial and sentencing?
As per reports, Judge Terry Means was initially said to be “dreading” Kay’s sentencing as he believed the 20-year minimum was excessive for the crime in question. Means’ stance quickly changed, however, when he listened to recorded phone calls from Kay in prison, as well as emails. In those correspondences, Kay is understood to have insulted the jury, prosecutors, Skaggs’ family and even the deceased player himself. With that, Means added a further two years to the sentence, citing a “refusal to accept responsibility and even be remorseful for something you caused,”
Tyler Skaggs’ family issued a statement
In a statement from Skaggs’ family, the player’s loved ones thanked those who worked to bring Kay to justice while lamenting the wider threat of the opioid crisis in the nation. Indeed, it is a plague that continues to claim life after life across the country.
“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,” read the 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.”