Urgent Testimony Reveals Secrets of Drug Use in Skaggs Case

UPDATE: Testimony in the high-profile wrongful death case of pitcher Tyler Skaggs took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Morin revealed shocking details about illicit drug use within the team. During the proceedings in Santa Ana, California, Morin disclosed that he, Skaggs, and a team employee, Eric Kay, kept their drug use secret from everyone, including family members.

Morin’s statements come as the Skaggs family continues to seek accountability from the Angels, alleging negligence in the drug-related death of the pitcher, who tragically died from an accidental overdose in 2019. Morin emphasized that he believed only the three of them were aware of their actions, stating, “I didn’t tell my wife or my family. I knew what I was doing was illegal.”

The testimony underscored a pivotal argument for the Angels, who have maintained that Skaggs was responsible for his own fatal decisions on the night of his death. “I think that he is responsible for his actions,” Morin said, adding weight to the team’s defense against the allegations of wrongdoing.

Morin recounted how he and Skaggs would use pills in a clandestine manner, even snorting opioids in the Angels’ clubhouse bathroom. He described the pills as “blue boys,” referring to 30-milligram oxycodone pills provided by Kay. In a shocking admission, Morin revealed that he believed Kay’s pills were safe, stating, “I was completely unaware in a very naïve way that a prescription pill could be tainted.”

The ongoing trial has captured significant attention, especially as it continues to unravel the complexities of addiction in professional sports. Morin highlighted the immense pressures players face, claiming that the emotional highs and lows of being in the Major League Baseball environment contributed to unhealthy coping mechanisms. “I am 100 percent embarrassed to sit here and say this is what I did,” Morin confessed.

Kay, who has since been sentenced to 22 years in prison for supplying the fatal pills, was also the subject of Morin’s testimony. The defense revealed text messages between Morin and Skaggs discussing their drug use, illustrating the secretive nature of their actions. Morin testified that he received pills from Kay multiple times during the 2017 season, often in a discreet manner.

As the trial progresses, Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, reiterated her lack of communication regarding her son’s struggles with addiction to Angels management. She stated she would have informed the team had they inquired. This line of questioning is expected to take center stage as expert witnesses prepare to discuss Skaggs’ potential career earnings on Wednesday.

The implications of this testimony are profound, not only for the Skaggs family but for the broader conversation about addiction in sports. The trial has drawn significant public interest, and the outcomes could potentially reshape policies regarding player welfare and drug use in professional athletics.

As the case unfolds, observers are urged to stay tuned for further developments. The emotional weight of this trial continues to resonate deeply within the sports community, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness and dialogue surrounding substance abuse in professional sports.