UPDATE: In a shocking turn during the Tyler Skaggs wrongful-death civil trial, Los Angeles Angels president John Carpino has labeled the late pitcher a “drug addict and a drug dealer.” This heated assertion was made on the final day of testimony on Friday, intensifying the stakes as Skaggs’ family seeks $118 million in damages, claiming negligence by the Angels organization.
Carpino’s remarks come as jurors prepare to deliberate as early as Monday afternoon, following a tumultuous trial that has revealed conflicting testimonies regarding drug use within the Angels organization. The family’s attorneys argue that the Angels failed to monitor Eric Kay, the communications employee who provided Skaggs with the fentanyl-laced pill that resulted in his tragic death on July 1, 2019.
During intense cross-examination, lead plaintiffs attorney Rusty Hardin confronted Carpino, questioning the Angels’ portrayal of Skaggs as the “bad guy.” Carpino responded firmly, asserting, “Tyler Skaggs was a drug addict and a drug dealer, and Eric Kay was distributing drugs and a drug addict as well.”
This statement marks a significant moment in the ongoing trial, which began in mid-October. Multiple witnesses have testified to receiving pills from both Skaggs and Kay, yet no evidence has surfaced proving that Skaggs sold drugs. Kay was convicted in federal court in 2022 for providing the drugs that killed Skaggs.
Throughout the trial, Carpino maintained that he and senior vice president of finance/administration Molly Jolly were unaware of any drug issues involving Skaggs or Kay. Jolly stated under oath that had she been informed of Kay’s drug or mental health problems, she would have reported them to Major League Baseball and sought help for him.
“I always want more information and not less because we want to serve the company and employees as well,” Jolly testified, emphasizing her commitment to employee welfare. She reiterated that the Angels did not report Kay’s involvement until weeks after Skaggs’ death.
The defense has argued that Skaggs’ decisions led to his own demise, maintaining that Kay’s actions were outside the scope of his job. However, the plaintiffs emphasize that the Angels knowingly allowed Kay to remain employed despite his drug issues, thus placing Skaggs at risk.
As the trial progresses towards closing arguments, the tension in the courtroom has been palpable. The judge has confirmed that no further witnesses will be called, prompting the defense to rest their case.
The outcome of this trial carries significant implications not only for the Skaggs family but also for the Los Angeles Angels organization as they face potential accountability for their actions leading up to this tragic event. With jurors poised to begin deliberations soon, all eyes are on the courtroom for a resolution in this high-profile case.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
