Former Angels Player Testifies on Drug Use in Skaggs Case

URGENT UPDATE: A former teammate of deceased pitcher Tyler Skaggs, Mike Morin, testified in court today, revealing critical details about the illicit drug use that led to Skaggs’ tragic overdose in 2019. During a hearing in Santa Ana, California, Morin stated that he, Skaggs, and Eric Kay, a former Angels employee, were secretive about their drug activities, distancing the team from responsibility for Skaggs’ death.

Morin’s testimony comes as the Skaggs family pursues a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels, asserting that the team failed to protect Skaggs despite knowing about Kay’s drug distribution. Morin confirmed that only he, Skaggs, and Kay were aware of their drug use during the 2017 season, emphasizing, “I knew what I was doing was illegal.”

The emotional impact of the case deepened as Morin recounted the pressures faced by professional athletes, stating, “I am 100 percent embarrassed to sit here and say this is what I did. That is my own burden.” The former player highlighted how Skaggs sought to keep his struggles hidden, fearing exposure would lead to judgment.

Morin’s testimony is vital to the Angels’ defense, which claims that reckless decisions by Skaggs led to his accidental overdose from a fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill. The Angels maintain that they were unaware of Skaggs’s drug problems or Kay’s actions, despite evidence that Kay provided drugs to multiple players. Kay is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence after being convicted for his role in Skaggs’ death.

Morin described the discreet nature of the drug exchanges, recounting how he received 30-milligram oxycodone pills, known as “blue boys,” through a covert system of leaving money in his locker for Kay to collect. He explained that he had no idea the pills could be hazardous, saying, “I was completely unaware in a very naïve way that a prescription pill could be tainted.”

As the trial progresses, the emotional weight of these revelations resonates. Skaggs’ mother, Debbie Hetman, testified previously that she had not informed the Angels about her son’s addiction, indicating a lack of communication that may have contributed to the tragic situation.

The trial is expected to continue with expert witnesses discussing Skaggs’ potential earnings had he lived, further underlining the impact of this heartbreaking case.

As the court proceedings unfold, the Skaggs family and the Angels organization remain at the center of a legal battle that highlights the serious issues of addiction and accountability in sports. The next hearing will take place tomorrow, promising more insights into this ongoing tragedy.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.