Angels Veteran Employee Unaware of Eric Kay’s Drug Use

The ongoing civil trial concerning the wrongful death of Tyler Skaggs, a former player for the Los Angeles Angels, has entered its second week. The trial involves testimony from key witnesses about the circumstances surrounding Skaggs’ tragic overdose on July 1, 2019. A pivotal figure in the proceedings is Tom Taylor, the Angels’ longtime traveling secretary.

Key Witness Testimony

Tom Taylor has been accused of being aware of Eric Kay’s drug use, which allegedly dates back to 2013. Kay, who served as the team’s communications director, is currently serving a federal prison sentence of 22 years following his conviction for supplying drugs to Skaggs.

• Skaggs’ Death: Tyler Skaggs died after ingesting a fentanyl-laced pill.
• Eric Kay’s Sentence: Kay is serving a 22-year prison sentence for his involvement in Skaggs’ death.
• Crucial Dates:
  • July 1, 2019 – Tyler Skaggs’ death.
  • October 1, 2017 – Kay’s intervention attempt.

During the trial, Taylor stated that he was entirely unaware of Kay’s drug issues until after Skaggs’ death. He appeared to interpret Kay’s erratic behavior through the lens of mental illness rather than drug abuse. This view contrasts sharply with that of former Angels VP Tim Mead, who expressed concerns about Kay’s prescription medication management.

Concerning Incidents and Evidence

Skaggs’ family attorney, Daniel Dutko, emphasized that Taylor had failed to present essential communications that could have illuminated Kay’s behavior. Key points of contention include:

• Claims that Taylor did not document significant drug-related incidents.
• Testimonies regarding Taylor’s handling of Kay’s erratic actions at work.
• Failure to follow MLB protocols concerning employee intoxication and drug use.

Dutko questioned Taylor on various incidents, including:

• A May 2018 event where Kay was found unconscious in the press box.
• A 2019 Easter Sunday incident where Taylor insisted Kay was merely sick.

When rebutted with evidence suggesting otherwise, Taylor maintained his stance, attributing Kay’s actions to fatigue rather than substance abuse. He also admitted to not producing relevant text messages after changing his phone.

Testimonies and Future Proceedings

The trial saw contrasting narratives from Taylor and Mead regarding Kay’s drug use. While Mead recalled earlier instances of concerning behavior, including a specific episode involving pills, Taylor denied any knowledge of such events.

The questioning of Taylor is set to continue, with an anticipated appearance by Angels outfielder Mike Trout. His testimony may further influence the proceedings as both sides gather evidence to support their claims. Notably, rumors of a shadow jury observing the trial have surfaced, although both legal teams have refrained from confirming this.

This trial has significant implications, not only for the Skaggs family but also for the Los Angeles Angels organization regarding their handling of drug abuse policies within the team.