FORT WORTH (Texas) — Tyler Skaggs’ mother painted Wednesday a portrait of the late Tyler Skaggs Los Angeles AngelsAs a father to a son, pitcher was first confronted by a Percocet “issue”.
Debbie Hetman, a prosecution witness, appeared in the federal criminal trial against Eric Kay (ex-communications director of Angels), providing emotional testimony during a day filled with technical details.
Hetman stated that she was upset that Kay was the one who saw her son alive, and that someone could have saved him. No evidence has been presented to show that Kay was the last person to see Skaggs or that anyone had a chance of saving him.
Kay is accused of distributing opioids, and inflicting Skaggs’ death from opioid-related causes on a Texas roadtrip in July 2019. Skaggs died after he vomited, and an autopsy revealed that he had oxycodone (fentanyl), grain alcohol and fentanyl in him. Kay’s lawyers described Skaggs as an addict who used Skaggs to buy and sell drugs. According to the government, Kay sold opioids to many Angels players and gave Skaggs the Fentanyl that caused his death.
Hetman claimed that Skaggs discussed Percocet in 2013 when Percocet was a prescription opioid painkiller. He said he had quit “cold turkey” then.
Skaggs was first shown to jurors photos, including closeups showing his bloody face. Hetman and her husband were present for the testimony, but were seated in an area of the courtroom where photos couldn’t be seen. She listened attentively, her left hand held close to her mouth, as a police detective clinically described the scene.
The day began with Skaggs’ cross-examination. Andrew HeaneySkaggs smoked marijuana together with Skaggs. He also admitted that a lot of players used opioid painkillers.
Michael Molfetta, defense attorney, inquired, “A lot many guys go outside the team doctors for these drugs, yes?” Heaney said, “I don’t have a count of them.” It is safe to assume that there are at least a few.
Molfetta was asked about marijuana use by Heaney when Molfetta first approached him. But, Judge Terry R. Means permitted Molfetta to move forward. The decision could have serious consequences for former All-Star players. Matt HarveyThey will be required to testify regarding their own drug use.
Heaney testified Tuesday that Skaggs was not aware of his drug use. Molfetta asked Heaney Wednesday about a text message he sent Skaggs that said, “You’re really geetered now.” Heaney answered that “geetered” was a term that means “high, I guess”. Molfetta stated that it meant high levels of methamphetamine in the Urban Dictionary. Heaney denied knowing this definition.
Skaggs has been portrayed by the defense as a frequent partygoer and drug user, who is ultimately responsible for his death. Molfetta began to question Heaney regarding his drug use. However, Means stopped her from asking the question because prosecutors objected. Heaney said “No”, as the prosecutors objected.
Hetman’s testimony revealed one potentially intriguing issue: it is possible that Skaggs’ phone was deleted by a family member while it was being held in police custody and before it was handed over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
During direct questioning, Hetman stated that her family flew from Texas to see Tyler and find out what happened. Police asked Hetman to unlock Skaggs phone while the family was at Southlake Police Department. Hetman explained that after much debate, her husband and she decided to cooperate. She correctly guess Skaggs passcode. She stated that Garet Ramos was her stepson and she changed the passcode. Southlake police were watching.
Molfetta questioned Hetman during cross-examination. She asked if she was aware Ramos had deleted Skaggs text messages. It was the first time such a charge has been made publicly. She denied that she was aware of this. Molfetta asked Molfetta if she knew Ramos’ address, as the defense team wanted to contact him. She stated that he lived in Phoenix, but was not certain of his address.
Ramos (32 years old) is listed as an official witness. But after court was adjourned for that day, Molfetta’s co-counsel Reagan Wynn met with Hetman’s attorneys, who were present at the trial to ask their help in locating Ramos. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Beran was present at the meeting.
Molfetta answered the question as he left courthouse, “We’d love to talk to him.” Molfetta was asked if Kay’s team had requested a subpoena to his testimony.
Skaggs’ family is suing Angels for negligence in his murder. Attorneys representing them were in court with an Angels lawyer to watch the criminal trial.
The trial will resume Thursday morning and should last for two weeks.