Introduction to the Case
A Los Angeles Angels human resources official, after learning that team communications staffer Eric Kay was facing criminal charges for providing a pill that led to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, texted a former colleague that Kay had “tweaker vibes,” according to testimony Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the ongoing wrongful death trial against the ballclub.
Mayra Castro, an Angels’ HR director, admitted that she initially deleted the text about Kay when she was turning records over to attorneys for the Skaggs family in connection to their wrongful death lawsuit. But Castro said she quickly realized that she shouldn’t have deleted the text and recovered the message so it could be turned over to the family attorneys.
The Text Message and Its Implications
In the August 2019 text to a former coworker, Castro wrote of Kay, “Dude he gave me tweaker vibes,” with the former coworker responding “Omfg, I always thought he definitely looked like a tweaker and sketch.” Under questioning by a Skaggs family attorney, Castro denied that she knew Kay had any drug issues prior to Skaggs’ death. She also denied deleting the text in an attempt to help the Angels by hiding potential evidence that they could have known about Kay’s drug use.
Questioning and Defense
“You deleted this message, because you knew it reflected at least your suspicion he was on drugs?” Attorney Leah Graham asked.
“I deleted it because I was afraid my bosses would see it and they would say ‘Mayra talks like this’ and they would question my professionalism,” Castro said. “I said it, but I know I didn’t know anything and I didn’t think he was doing drugs.” Castro explained that the “tweaker” reference was prompted by a combination of what she learned that month about the criminal charges Kay was facing along with what in hindsight seemed to be a “weird energy” surrounding him. But she denied that any of her interactions with Kay while he worked with the Angels raised any red flags with her.
The Trial and Its Significance
“When you worked with Eric, was there anything that gave you a sense that he was on drugs?” Angels Attorney Kevin Dorse asked.
“No,” Castro responded. Kay is currently in federal prison after being convicted of providing Skaggs with a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl that combined with oxycodone and alcohol led to the pitcher’s death in a Texas hotel room in July 2019 at the start of an Angels road trip. Jurors in the ongoing civil wrongful death trial in Orange County Superior Court will have to decide whether the Angels knew, or at least should have known, that Kay was providing illicit pills to Skaggs prior to the pitcher’s death.
Testimonies and Allegations
Two of Kay’s former coworkers have acknowledged that Kay’s behavior was occasionally “abnormal,” but said they believed it was due to issues with prescription medication related to mental health issues. Attorneys for the Skaggs family allege that Kay’s wife has said that Angels’ officials were long aware of Kay’s addiction to opioids and that he was providing pills to players, including Skaggs. Testimony in what is expected to be a more than month-long trial continues Friday in a Santa Ana courtroom.
Conclusion
The case against the Los Angeles Angels continues, with the trial aiming to determine the team’s knowledge and responsibility regarding Eric Kay’s provision of illicit pills to Tyler Skaggs. The testimonies and evidence presented will be crucial in deciding the outcome of the wrongful death lawsuit. As the trial progresses, it is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Skaggs’ death and the potential involvement of the Angels organization.
FAQs
- Q: What was the nature of the text message sent by Mayra Castro?
A: The text message described Eric Kay as giving her "tweaker vibes," which was recovered after initially being deleted. - Q: What is the significance of the trial?
A: The trial aims to determine whether the Los Angeles Angels knew or should have known about Eric Kay providing illicit pills to Tyler Skaggs before his death. - Q: What is the current status of Eric Kay?
A: Eric Kay is currently in federal prison after being convicted of providing Skaggs with a counterfeit pill that led to his death. - Q: How long is the trial expected to last?
A: The trial is expected to last more than a month.
