During the sixth day of the trial involving former Angels employee Eric Kay and the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, it was disclosed by prosecuting attorney Lindsey Beran that former All-Star pitcher Matt Harvey would be testifying the following morning.
Harvey’s revelations were startling to many. He confessed to using oxycodone himself and acknowledged providing Percocet to Skaggs when they were teammates. He also disclosed using cocaine during his time with the New York Mets and continuing to use it during his stint in Los Angeles.
The defense has pinpointed Harvey as the source of Percocet pills found in Skaggs’ possession at the time of his death in 2019 in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas. Medical examiners reported Skaggs’ cause of death as a mix of “alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone intoxication with a terminal aspiration of gastric contents.”
Kay is facing charges of distributing a controlled substance leading to Skaggs’ death and conspiracy to possess opioids with the intent to distribute. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Skaggs passed away from choking on vomit.
Harvey began the 2019 season with the Angels but was released in July after posting a record of 3-5 in 12 starts.
If Kay is found guilty, he could receive a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.
