Angels on Trial: Lawyer Blames Team for Tyler Skaggs’ Death

Skaggs Case: Opening Statements Begin in Trial Against Los Angeles Angels

The civil trial over the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019 has begun with opening statements revealing opposing stances on the responsibility of the Los Angeles Angels. The focus of the debate revolves around the alleged culpability of the team in Skaggs’ fatal overdose. Shawn Holley, attorney for the plaintiff, accused the Angels of putting Skaggs “directly in danger” due to the continued hiring of Eric Kay, the team’s former communications director. Kay was convicted in 2022 of supplying the oxycodone pill with fentanyl that caused Skaggs’ death and is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence. On the other hand, Todd Theodora, lawyer for the Angels, argued that the team was unaware of Skaggs’ drug problems or that Kay provided him with pills. Theodora maintains that Skaggs died due to his “reckless decision to mix large amounts of alcohol with narcotics” on the night of his death.

“Angels Baseball did not kill Tyler Skaggs, and Angels Baseball only wishes he had spoken up and told us about his problems,” Theodora stated.

Todd Theodora, Angels’ attorney

Skaggs’ widow, Carli, and her mother were present in court, supported by their legal team, led by Rusty Hardin. The Skaggs family filed a lawsuit against the Angels in 2021, seeking compensation of $118 million for the estimated loss of income of Tyler Skaggs, damages for the family’s suffering, and punitive damages against the Angels, according to Holley. The Angels’ owner, Arte Moreno, and team president, John Carpino, were also present during the opening statements. The opening statements from both sides presented very different versions of the facts and evidence that will be presented to the jury.

“If you just wanted to go see two different people in the same accident scene and get different views at 180 degrees,” Hardin commented as he left the court, “today was the day.”

Rusty Hardin, lawyer for the Skaggs family

Holley, in his 52-minute opening statement, directly held the Angels responsible for Skaggs’ death. Theodora, in her 58-minute statement, argued that the Angels were unaware of Skaggs’ illicit drug use and that it was a “reckless decision” by Skaggs that led to his death. Holley mentioned on several occasions that the Angels were aware of Kay’s drug problems since 2013, including periods of rehabilitation and appearances at work under the influence of drugs. The lawyer said that the jury would hear testimonies about a club employee who saw Kay snorting drugs in the club’s kitchen in 2016, and an intervention in 2017 when the Angels’ head of public relations, Tim Mead, found pills in individual bags at Kay’s house.

“That type of packaging was indicative of drug sales,” Holley stated. “…The Angels knew it now.”

Shawn Holley, plaintiff’s attorney

Holley added that the testimony would demonstrate that Kay’s addiction was “on full display” in 2018, including at work for the Angels, and how in 2019 the Angels’ human resources department asked Kay to consult an addiction specialist. Less than two months after returning to work, Kay was on the trip to Texas with Skaggs and the Angels when he provided the pill with fentanyl to Skaggs.

“It was a tragedy,” Holley said, “… that could have been avoided by the Angels.”

Shawn Holley, plaintiff’s attorney

Holley argued that the Angels ignored the team’s anti-drug policies regarding Kay, while also pointing to other employees who were suspended or fired for drug or alcohol use. Theodora indicated that the franchise was aware of Kay’s bipolar diagnosis and family history of mental illness. Theodora stated that the Angels offered him help in managing the diagnosis and any medication issues that arose. Theodora affirmed that Kay “was better than ever” after his outpatient treatment and that there was no reason to fire him because Kay’s treatment was related to prescription drugs. As part of her opening, Theodora showed photos of the desk in Skaggs’ hotel room the night he died, including a magenta room key with drug residue and a straw for snorting used for oxycodone and fentanyl. Theodora also presented the autopsy report showing the levels of oxycodone, fentanyl, and alcohol in Skaggs’ system.

“Really, this is a simple case,” Theodora declared. “Tyler, and only Tyler, decided to obtain the illicit pills and take the illicit drugs along with alcohol the night he died.”

Todd Theodora, lawyer for the Angels

Theodora reiterated on several occasions that the Angels wished Skaggs had told them about any drug problems because “we could have helped him.” She also said that the Angels suspended and eventually fired Kay after learning that he had been in Skaggs’ hotel room the night of his death. Theodora stated that her evidence would show that Skaggs used illicit drugs when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks before joining the Angels, and that several former Angels players (including Matt Harvey) and current players (including star outfielder Mike Trout) would testify or have testimonies about Kay or Skaggs. Oxycodone was not prescribed to Skaggs, Theodora said, and the fentanyl was a “counterfeit” pill, provided by Kay. Theodora said that the amounts of oxycodone and fentanyl were in therapeutic ranges, but that the addition of alcohol (11 to 13 drinks) created a lethal combination.

“It was the mix,” said Theodora, “of this amount of alcohol with this amount of oxycodone with this amount of fentanyl that caused Tyler’s death.”

Todd Theodora, lawyer for the Angels

The case, which is expected to last six weeks, is expected to continue Wednesday morning with Mead’s anticipated testimony.