Tyler Skaggs Trial: Ex-Teammate Claims Drug Use Was Secret

UPDATE: Urgent testimony has emerged in the wrongful death trial of Tyler Skaggs, revealing that former Los Angeles Angels pitcher Mike Morin asserted both he and Skaggs were discreet about their drug use. Morin’s statements come as the trial unfolds in Santa Ana, California, with crucial implications for the Angels organization.

In a dramatic court session on October 3, 2023, Morin testified that he, Skaggs, and Eric Kay, a former team communications employee, were the only ones aware of their illicit drug activities during the 2017 MLB season. Morin emphasized that he kept their drug use hidden from his family, acknowledging its illegal nature. “I think that he wanted to not have a bunch of people know what he was doing,” Morin stated, reflecting on Skaggs’ mindset.

The stakes are high as the Skaggs family seeks justice following the pitcher’s tragic death from a drug overdose in 2019. The Angels have maintained they bear no responsibility for Skaggs’ death, arguing it was Skaggs’ own reckless choices that led to his fatal overdose. Morin’s testimony supports this defense, as he stated, “I think that he is responsible for his actions,” after a moment of contemplation.

Morin recounted how he and Skaggs would crush pills in the Angels’ clubhouse bathroom, highlighting the covert nature of their drug use. He described the pills as “blue boys,” referring to the 30-milligram oxycodone pills they obtained from Kay. “I had no idea Eric Kay was doing what he was doing,” Morin asserted, distancing himself from Kay’s actions, which ultimately led to a 22-year prison sentence for Kay after his conviction for providing Skaggs with the fatal fentanyl-laced pill.

Defense attorneys presented text messages between Morin and Skaggs discussing their drug use, underscoring the secretive nature of their activities. Morin revealed that he received pain pills from Kay around five to eight times during the 2017 season, often using coded communications to arrange transactions. “Pill distribution was typically extremely discreet,” he explained, indicating a calculated effort to keep their actions hidden.

As the trial continues, the emotional weight of the case is palpable. Morin expressed regret for his past actions and the immense pressures faced by professional athletes. “I am 100 percent embarrassed to sit here and say this is what I did,” he confessed, indicating the fear and stigma surrounding drug use in Major League Baseball.

The testimony follows earlier remarks from Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, who stated that she did not inform the Angels about her son’s struggles with addiction prior to his death. Hetman emphasized that the team never inquired about Skaggs’ wellbeing concerning his Percocet addiction.

As the trial progresses, expert witnesses are set to testify about Skaggs’ potential earnings had he lived, further complicating the narrative surrounding his tragic story. The courtroom remains tense as both sides prepare for what’s next in this high-profile case, making it clear that the ramifications of Skaggs’ death continue to resonate deeply within the sport and beyond.

Stay tuned for further updates as the trial unfolds and more critical testimonies are expected in the coming days.