Skaggs family civil suit against Angels delayed once again at hearing

Theres been yet another delay in the blockbuster civil case brought by the family of Tyler Skaggs against the Los Angeles Angels .

The trial was pushed back to Sept.

22 after Judge H.

Shaina Colover ordered at a hearing Friday that, amid numerous discovery disputes between the two sides, the trial could not take place on April 7 as scheduled.

The trial was initially scheduled for October 2023 but has repeatedly been pushed back.

Advertisement California law requires that a civil case be heard within five years of the suit being brought, or it can be dismissed.

The initial suit was brought by Carli Skaggs, the widow of Tyler, on June 29, 2021.

Both Carli and Tylers mother, Debbie Skaggs, joined Fridays hearing virtually.

The late Angels pitcher died on July 1, 2019, from a fentanyl overdose, while on a trip with the team in Texas.

Eric Kay, then a public relations employee with the team, was convicted in 2022 of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Hes serving 22 years in federal prison.

The Skaggs family attorneys have accused the Angels of purposefully pushing back depositions in an effort to reach the five-year mark, a concern that Skaggs family attorney Rusty Hardin reiterated in court.

Angels attorney Kevin Yopp told the court, however, that both sides want to get this case to trial as soon as possible.

While the judge acknowledged further delays could be possible, she indicated that they would likely be measured in weeks, not months, and that she would like to make sure we land that plane, while noting concern over the five-year deadline.

Colover had previously ruled against the Angels on delaying the trial until November 2025, on the basis of avoiding a disruptive in-season trial.

On Friday, she said there were still too many depositions to be taken to be ready for trial in April, meaning the new trial date will fall during the last week of the baseball season, and would likely stretch into the MLB postseason.

The next pre-trial readiness conference will take place on Aug.

22.

The trial itself is expected to take four to six weeks.

The Skaggs family is seeking at least $210 million in damages, according to a filing by the Angels on Thursday.

Advertisement The court hearing was polite, with Angels lead attorney Todd Theodora joking to the judge before the proceedings that Hardin had a tee time in an hour.

The ensuing laughter stood in stark contrast to the contentious filings and sharp accusations being levied.

Before announcing the delay, the judge heard arguments on an ex parte motion brought by the Skaggs family attorneys.

Skaggs representatives accused the Angels attorneys of using frivolous objections during depositions, as well as coaching witnesses into not fully answering questions.

Skaggs family attorney Daniel Dutko said it was a matter for the judge because it constituted discovery abuse.

The Angels lawyers contended that they were following the rules set out by the discovery referee, retired judge Gail Andler, and that issues with discovery arent for the trial court, and shouldnt have even been argued before Judge Colover on Friday.

Colover denied the motion, and said matters of discovery needed to be litigated through the discovery referee, but noted that she would be open to issuing sanctions, if warranted, down the road.

The judge agreed with the Skaggs attorneys that the Angels were required to conduct 10 depositions a month, and agreed with Skaggs attorneys, who noted that Angler didnt just require any 10 dispositions per month, but from a select list, which is not fully known to the public.

While the full list hasnt been announced, it was revealed that numerous critical Angels employees will be called to testify.

That includes team president John Carpino and chairman Dennis Kuhl.

Senior vice president Molly Jolly already was deposed for six hours, according to Angels attorneys.

Traveling secretary Tom Taylor, whose testimony is critical because of his friendship with Kay, will be deposed on Monday.

Skaggs family attorneys also indicated that they expect testimony from longtime trainer Rick Smith to be of consequence.

Advertisement At the outset of the hearing, the judge agreed to allow Pennsylvania-based attorney Joe Armstrong to represent Angels superstar Mike Trout , who is considered a third-party witness in the case.

The judge needs to approve out-of-state representation.

Trout is set to be deposed on Wednesday.

Hes the only current or former player scheduled to be deposed, though other former Angels players may be compelled to testify.

Trout is expected to be asked about his friendship with Skaggs, as well as the Angels culture.

The Angels said they are still working to get deposition testimony from a wealth manager for Tyler Skaggs, and that there will need to be extensive work done in producing the testimony of expert witnesses, as well as others not affiliated with the Angels organization.

Several recent rulings by the discovery referee have gone against the Angels.

Last week, she ruled that team owner Arte Moreno, Kuhl and Taylor were non-compliant with their discovery obligations in handing over documents.

In late December, she ruled in a filing that up to 77 Angels employees needed to hand over their personal phones to search for potentially relevant documentation that needed to be produced by Jan.

31.

(Photo: Brandon Wade / Getty Images).

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