An autopsy revealed Antley had died from a mix of prescription drugs and methamphetamine. Because Antley had visible head wounds, police first suspected he may have been murdered. Further investigation revealed that Antley may have bumped his head during a drug-induced stupor and died from an overdose. A coroner determined the head injuries were not fatal.
Two men pleaded guilty Friday to breaking into the house of late jockey Chris Antley, who died last month from an accidental drug overdose.Antley's friend, Timothy Tyler Jr., 24, and Jeffrey Robert Jones, 22, pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge of trespassing. Both men were arrested on Jan. 11 when they attempted to enter Antley's home in Pasadena. They were charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary but because no one was living in the house at the time, the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, said Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Herbert Lapin. "We couldn't prove the felony," he said. Tyler was sentenced to six months in county jail but he opted to serve that time at a drug treatment program. Jones was sentenced to 90 days in jail and placed on one year probation. Both men were also ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Judson Morris Jr. to never return to Antley's house.Tyler periodically lived with Antley, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner. He was told by police not to enter the house and retrieve some of his belongings after Antley was found dead last month. Tyler had apparently waited long enough and went to the house where he took some of his items but also stole some valuables. "Those valuables amounted to less than $200," Lapin said.Tyler was also arrested Dec. 3, the day after Antley died, on three outstanding arrest warrants. He and Antley had been picked up Sept. 28, 2000 by police for possession of illegal drugs.