Former Angels employee Eric Kay has been found guilty on two felony counts in connection to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.The former communications director has been charged with distributing counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl that led to Skaggs’ July 1, 2019 death, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute. The verdict arrived Thursday afternoon after just hours of deliberations from the jury. Kay, who was taken into custody immediately afterward, will be sentenced June 28 and faces a minimum of 20 years in federal prison.Jurors decided over the course of the eight-day trial that the government met its burden to show that Kay provided Skaggs the pills that killed him, that the fentanyl killed him and that he more likely than not provided the drugs in Texas. The trial brought to light issues of opioid abuse in the Angels clubhouse, and raised questions about a potentially larger issue for Major League Baseball. Five players took the stand and acknowledged purchasing oxycodone pills from Kay. Matt Harvey, who was compelled to testify in exchange for immunity, acknowledged providing Skaggs with Percocet pills found in his possession the day he died. C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, Cam Bedrosian and Blake Parker also testified that they purchased pills from Kay. The prosecution said in its closing argument that former Angels pitcher Garrett Richards also purchased pills from Kay.(Photo by John McCoy / Getty Images)
