Guilty verdict in Tyler Skaggs’ death draws mixed reaction on Eric Kay’s punishment
The guilty verdict for former Los Angeles Angels media relations director Eric Kay has put a spotlight on the nation’s opioid crisis.
Kay was found guilty on two counts, including of distributing counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute.
A pill laced with fentanyl led to the overdose death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs in a Southlake Hilton Hotel before a series against the Texas Rangers in 2019.
Kay, 47, faces between 20 years and life in prison. He’ll be sentenced in Fort Worth’s U.S. District Court on June 28.
Reaction to the news has been a mix of sadness, not only for Skaggs’ death, but for Kay’s future behind bars. Kay has claimed he has battled addiction with prescription medications. Many on social media have expressed concern that Kay is being unfairly punished for another adult’s choices. It’s entirely likely that Skaggs nor Kay knew the pill was laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
Baseball writer Craig Calcaterra expressed grief in the verdict that was announced Thursday afternoon.
“Everything — every single thing — about the Tyler Skaggs/Eric Kay case is an utter tragedy. Our society is not set up to deal with addiction and everything that spins out of it, be it personally, socially, legally, and everything else you can name,” Calcaterra posted on Twitter. “It’s just heartbreaking.”
Former MLB pitcher Dallas Braden also showed sympathy for Kay.
“Eric Kay faces a MINIMUM of 20 years in prison. Such a sad & horrific story,” Braden posted on Twitter. “I just hope Tyler’s family can find peace. Kay’s family as well. Just horribly tragic all the way around.”
The Skaggs family released a statement after the verdict, calling him “the light of our family.”
“We are relieved that justice was served, although today is a painful reminder of the worst day in the life of our family,” the statement read.
The trial took eight days and the jury deliberated for about 90 minutes.
This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 8:23 PM.
