Latest news with #DanSerafini
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Murderer' ex-MLB star's 'four evil words about in-laws he shot while having affair with nanny'
A former Major League Baseball pitcher called his in-laws 'wealthy pieces of s***' before he allegedly shot them inside their home. Dan Serafini, 51, who played for six MLB teams including the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs, is accused of shooting dead his wealthy father-in-law Gary Spohr, 70, and attempting to kill his mother-in-law Wendy Wood, then 69, in 2021. When his lengthy murder trial kicked off on Monday, jurors heard how he spoke about how much he hated his wealthy in-laws and even told others that he wanted them dead, as he continued his affair with the nanny, Samantha Scott, 35. "'I'll pay $20,000 to have them killed. They're wealthy pieces of s***.' That's what he said about his in-laws,' Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Miller told jurors on Monday, according to the Sacramento Bee. Serafini allegedly made the comment in 2012, the same year he married their daughter, Erin, now 36. Then, just three months before the murder, Serafini was also allegedly overheard by a mine foreman saying he wanted to kill them in a furious phone call. Prosecutors now say Serafini's relationship with his in-laws had been fraught from the beginning - and tensions only grew worse as the former pitcher and his wife found themselves partially reliant on handouts from her wealthy parents. But in a shocking twist, Erin is expected to speak out in defense of her husband - and argue that he could not have killed her parents. Erin and Serafini's two young children had visited her parents at their Lake Tahoe compound the day of the grisly murder, when Wood handed Erin a check for $90,000. As the family spent the day boating on the lake, a masked man was caught on camera sneaking into Spohr's Tahoe City shortly after 5pm. Just over an hour later, five gunshots were heard in rapid succession from inside the property with the masked killer caught leaving the home a few minutes before 9pm. Prosecutors now assert that the man captured on camera was Serafini, who had been driven to Tahoe City by his lover Scott - who was arrested alongside the former baseball star in October 2023 but is now set to testify against him. They allege the former professional pitcher was in desperate need of cash following an acrimonious divorce and a failed bar venture for which he lost $14 million in earnings from his baseball career. He then allegedly snuck into the home when he knew his wife and children and waited with a .22-caliber gun for his wife and children to return to their Reno home. Then as Spohr and Wood were watching television shortly before 9am, Miller said Serafini opened fire. The prosecutor claimed Spohr was 'executed' with a bullet to the back of his head, while Wood was struck by gunfire, vomited and bled on the couch before she crawled to a bathroom where she managed to call 911. She was so badly injured that she could only gasp for air. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they found Spohr's body along with bullet shell casings and bloodstains splattered around the luxury home. Medics found Wood in the bathroom, and flew her to the hospital in Reno, where she spent the next month in intensive care. She ultimately hanged herself in 2023 and her will is now the subject of a contentious legal battle between Erin and her other daughter, Adrienne, 39, who are fighting to get custody of the couple's estate - which they estimate to be worth $10 million. Following the homicide, Scott claimed she was in Elko on the day of the murder and said Serafini had spent the previous night with her there at the Red Lion Casino before leaving to return to his Crescent Valley trailer. But her tale changed when police confronted her with cellphone pings that placed her first in Crescent Valley, then Reno and next crossing into California where her phone pinged near Truckee – a border town close to Tahoe City. In Tahoe City, her tan Subaru was captured on home surveillance footage parking close to the Spohr residence at 6:42pm that night. The car was repeatedly seen moving from parking spot to parking spot before driving off at 9:22pm that night allegedly with Serafini also inside. In a lengthy interview with authorities in January, Scott told how she drove the former big-leaguer to Tahoe City that day but insisted she had left him by the Fat Cat Bar and Grill after he said he needed 'to pick up a package. She said she collected him a few hours later for the drive back to Crescent Valley. During that drive, Scott allegedly claimed Serafini disassembled the gun and threw it out of the moving vehicle's window along with his clothes and a backpack - which prosecutors admitted on Friday that investigators never recovered. Serafini's defense therefore say there is no physical evidence linking the former baseballer to the scene. His attorney, David Dratman, also argued that the masked figure in the security footage appeared to be younger and with a smaller frame than his client. 'Danny Serafini is not the person in the video. He did not shoot his wife's parents,' the attorney told jurors in his opening statement. 'These are the facts of the case.' At that point, Dratman turned his attention to discrediting Scott. He claimed that she combed through the prosecution's evidence during a hearing over the summer and then decided to provide an account 'designed to fill-in the weaknesses' of the prosecution's case against Serafini. Dratman also noted that Scott had been facing 25 years to life in prison before she pleaded guilty in February to being an accessory after the fact - and argued that prosecutors promised her that the felony charge would be dropped to a misdemeanor if she were to testify against his client. Scott would then be released after she testified with credit for time already served, Dratman claimed. As Serafini's trial continues, the defense is also expected to argue that there were plenty of other people with reason to want to kill Spohr and Wood - who had been nightmare neighbors and the subject of restraining orders at the time of the attack. Court papers seen by bear that out. Wood was convicted of attacking a man with a paddle board paddle for fishing outside her home in 2018 while Spohr had been involved in a laundry list of court cases dating back to 2011. Dratman and Serafini's other lawyer, David Fischer, also say the Spohrs' other daughter Adrienne benefitted financially from her parents' deaths. She is currently dating a convicted bank robber named in court papers as 'T.H'. previously revealed that 'T.H' is Taylor Hatton, 39, who was convicted of robbing the First Community Bank in Taos, New Mexico, in 2008 and brandishing a firearm during the heist. He was eventually arrested in Albuquerque, convicted and released from jail in 2014 according to Bureau of Prisons records. They say the man caught on camera could have been Hatton, although Richard Miller – who is leading the prosecution – noted in court last week that Hatton is just 5ft 9 while the masked man is closer to Serafini's 6ft 1 height. Serafini is now facing charges of murder, attempted murder, lying in wait and child endangerment because his two children were in the home shortly before the shooting. His trial is expected to continue through July 25, with jury deliberations tentatively scheduled for July 18.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Ex-MLB Pitcher's Murder Trial Pauses After 'Shocking' Crime Scene Testimony
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Testimony is underway in the murder trial of former major league pitcher Dan Serafini, with the prosecution providing graphic evidence from the scene of the crime. Serafini, 51, is accused of shooting Gary Spohr and his wife, Wendy Wood, in their Lake Tahoe-area home on June 5, 2021. He has been present in the Auburn, California courthouse for the first two days of the trial, which paused Wednesday. More news: Jury Selection Begins in Murder Trial of Former MLB Pitcher On Monday, Placer County Deputy District Attorney Richard Miller and Serafini's defense attorney, David Dratman, made their opening statements. Dan Serafini #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers the pitch during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2007 in Denver. Dan Serafini #29 of the Colorado Rockies delivers the pitch during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2007 in to Sacramento television station KCRA, jurors heard audio of the 9-1-1 call placed by Wood, saw bloody crime scene photos, and heard testimony from Capt. Gary Nelson with the North Tahoe Fire Protection District on Tuesday. Nelson testified that the Homewood, California scene of the shootings was "shocking," per KCRA's Jonathan Ayestas. More news: Former Red Sox Pitcher's Cause of Death Revealed: Report From 1996-2007, Serafini pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Cincinnati Reds. His MLB career effectively ended when he was suspended 50 games in November 2007 for failing a performance-enhancing drug test. As a major leaguer, Serafini went 15-16 with a 6.04 ERA (76 ERA+) in 104 career games (33 starts). He went 9-6 with a 5.88 ERA with the Twins from 1996-98, his longest tenure with any one organization. More news: Two-Time American League All-Star Infielder Passes Away Serafini retired after pitching four games as a 39-year-old in the Mexican League in 2013. He struggled financially in the years that followed his playing career. Serafini was featured in an episode of "Bar Rescue" that aired in 2015, which pulled back the curtain on one of his failed investments. More news: Three-Time American League All-Star, World Series Champion, Passes Away Days after the June 2021 shooting in Homewood, investigators uncovered a surveillance video from the Spohrs' home showing a man wearing a hoodie approaching the residence hours before the shooting. Detectives later identified the man as Serafini, who was arrested in 2023. More news: Former MLB Outfielder, World Series Series Champion, Dies From Brain Injury Dratman argued the hooded man in the surveillance video is not Serafini, according to The plausibility of this argument figures to be a key component in the outcome of the trial. Soon enough, Serafini's fate will rest in the hands of the Placer County jurors. According to KCRA, testimony is expected to resume Thursday. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Jury Selection Begins in Murder Trial of Former MLB Pitcher
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jury selection has begun in the murder trial of former major league pitcher Dan Serafini. From 1996-2007, Serafini appeared in 104 games for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds. More news: Former Red Sox Pitcher's Cause of Death Revealed: Report Serafini's MLB career effectively ended when he was suspended 50 games in November 2007 for failing a performance enhancing drug test. In the years that followed, his post-playing career took a dark turn. Dan Serafini #50 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 11, 2003 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dan Serafini #50 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on September 11, 2003 in Cincinnati, potential jurors gathered in a Northern California courthouse, more than an hour west of where Serafini is accused of shooting Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood Spohr, his father and mother-in-law, at their Lake Tahoe-area home in June 2021. Serafini was arrested in October 2023. More news: Two-Time American League All-Star Infielder Passes Away Opening statements are expected to begin next week, according to KCRA. Serafini's attorney, David Dratman, did not return multiple messages left by Newsweek Sports. Serafini, who is reportedly being held in South Placer County Jail, faces murder and attempted murder charges. According to court documents obtained by ABC 10 in Sacramento, Serafini was having an affair with Samantha Scott, who worked as a nanny for Serafini and his wife, Erin Spohr, at the time of the shootings. Scott has already pled guilty to being an accomplice in the shootings. More news: Hall of Fame Coach, Influential Mentor to Two MLB General Managers, Dies Erin Spohr, with whom Serafini shares two children, is scheduled to testify on her husband's behalf. Serafini, 51, pitched professionally in Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, and Venezuela in addition to the United States across 22 seasons in professional baseball. He also pitched for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and made two separate stints in the independent Atlantic League. More news: Three-Time American League All-Star, World Series Champion, Passes Away Serafini retired after pitching four games as a 39-year-old in the Mexican League in 2013. As a major leaguer, Serafini went 15-16 with a 6.04 ERA (76 ERA+) in 104 career games (33 starts). Serafini went 9-6 with a 5.88 ERA with the Twins from 1996-98, his longest tenure with any one organization. Serafini struggled financially in the years that followed his playing career. He was featured in an episode of "Bar Rescue" that aired in 2015, which pulled back the curtain on one of his failed investments. Soon his fate will rest in the hands of a jury, far from the site of his peak as a professional athlete. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
National Post
14-05-2025
- National Post
Trial set for ex-MLB pitcher accused of gunning down father-in-law
Article content Article content Prosecutors allege Dan Serafini, who pitched in parts of seven seasons between 1996 and 2007, snuck into and hid inside his in-laws' California house at Lake Tahoe where he shot and killed Gary Spohr and fired two bullets into Wendy Woods' head in June 2021. Article content Woods spent a month in hospital recuperating and didn't have any memory of the shootings. She died by suicide in March 2023, heartbroken over the loss of her husband. Article content Placer County Superior Court officials said jury selection began Tuesday, reports NBC Sacramento affiliate KCRA. The trial is expected to begin next week. Article content Investigators assigned to the case reviewed video surveillance footage from the couple's Homewood home days later and saw a man walking up to the property wearing a black hoodie and a white mask covering his face while carrying a backpack. Article content Spohr, 70, and Wood, 68, were not at home at the time the suspect entered the property, reports SFGate. Article content The couple were with their eldest daughter, Erin Spohr, and her two children enjoying a Saturday afternoon by the lake. Article content They returned home around 7:45 p.m. Before their daughter left, Wood handed her a $90,000 cheque. She later testified that her parents financially supported her and Serafini by paying for their home in Reno, Nev., while also helping cover the cost of day care, baby supplies, schools, vacations and a $55,000 car. Article content It wasn't until later that evening a 911 call came from the home, but the dispatcher could only hear a person gasping for air. Article content The North Tahoe Fire Department arrived first at the home and discovered Spohr dead from one shot to the head and Wood in the upstairs bathroom suffering from gunshots to her head but still alive. Article content After the family told detectives to stop contacting their mother while she recuperated, the case grew cold until the couple's youngest daughter, Adrienne Spohr, held a press conference in February 2022. She offered a $150,000 reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. Article content
Toronto Sun
14-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Trial set for ex-MLB pitcher accused of gunning down father-in-law
Mother-in-law survived ambush shooting but died by suicide in 2023 heartbroken over loss of husband Dan Serafini, seen here pitching for the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sept. 5, 2007, is accused of murdering his father-in-law and almost killing his mother-in-law. Photo by Doug Pensinger / Files / Getty Images A trial is set to get underway for a former Major League Baseball player accused of the ambush murder of his father-in-law and attempting to kill his mother-in-law. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Prosecutors allege Dan Serafini, who pitched in parts of seven seasons between 1996 and 2007, snuck into and hid inside his in-laws' California house at Lake Tahoe where he shot and killed Gary Spohr and fired two bullets into Wendy Woods' head in June 2021. Woods spent a month in hospital recuperating and didn't have any memory of the shootings. She died by suicide in March 2023, heartbroken over the loss of her husband. Placer County Superior Court officials said jury selection began Tuesday, reports NBC Sacramento affiliate KCRA. The trial is expected to begin next week. Investigators assigned to the case reviewed video surveillance footage from the couple's Homewood home days later and saw a man walking up to the property wearing a black hoodie and a white mask covering his face while carrying a backpack. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Spohr, 70, and Wood, 68, were not at home at the time the suspect entered the property, reports SFGate. The couple were with their eldest daughter, Erin Spohr, and her two children enjoying a Saturday afternoon by the lake. They returned home around 7:45 p.m. Before their daughter left, Wood handed her a $90,000 cheque. She later testified that her parents financially supported her and Serafini by paying for their home in Reno, Nev., while also helping cover the cost of day care, baby supplies, schools, vacations and a $55,000 car. Following his baseball career, Serafini appeared on an episode of reality TV series Bar Rescue in 2015 where the show's host offers advice to failing bar owners trying to save their business. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An hour later, police said six gunshots were fired inside the home and the shooter left. It wasn't until later that evening a 911 call came from the home, but the dispatcher could only hear a person gasping for air. The North Tahoe Fire Department arrived first at the home and discovered Spohr dead from one shot to the head and Wood in the upstairs bathroom suffering from gunshots to her head but still alive. After the family told detectives to stop contacting their mother while she recuperated, the case grew cold until the couple's youngest daughter, Adrienne Spohr, held a press conference in February 2022. She offered a $150,000 reward for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It took detectives two years to finally identify the suspect as Serafini. In February, Serafini's friend Samantha Scott pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a felony for the fatal ambush. At her trial, an investigator testified that Scott gave Serafini a ride on the day of the shooting. Opening statements are set for next week. Serafini faces murder and attempted murder charges. Read More Relationships Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Celebrity Columnists
