Jury finds Eric Kay guilty of distributing fentanyl and causing the death of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs

The jury in the case against former Los Angeles Angels communications director Eric Kay has found him guilty of distributing fentanyl and causing the death of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019.

The jury, which began deliberations Thursday morning, wasted little time in reaching its conclusion. The 10-woman, two-man jury needed just three hours to arrive at its verdict.

Kay was immediately taken into custody while his family sat in silence as the verdict was read.

Skaggs' wife, Carli, and mother Debbie Hetman, shared an emotional hug upon hearing the verdict.

Sentencing for Kay has been set for June 28. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Kay and Skaggs met in 2017, soon beginning a relationship in which the two used drugs together, sometimes even in the team's clubhouse. Kay told U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents in 2019 that Skaggs introduced him to a dealer, and paid for both men's drugs while Kay handled the transactions. Over the next few seasons, Skaggs connected at least four other Angels players with Kay, telling them that Kay could provide them with oxycodone

On June 30, 2019, the Angels flew to Texas for a series against the Rangers. Before the flight, evidence shows, Skaggs asked Kay for several pills. That night, after the team had arrived, Skaggs texted Kay to come up to his room.

Kay told investigators that he did not have pills with him, and that when he arrived in Skaggs' room there were already drugs on Skaggs' desk. Kay said he did not ingest any drugs and that Skaggs was conscious when he left.

The next morning, July 1, when Skaggs did not respond to multiple texts and calls from his wife, team security officials checked his room and discovered him dead.

During seven days of testimony,