Latest news with #DanSerafini
Japan Times
16-07-2025
- Japan Times
Former MLB and NPB pitcher Dan Serafini found guilty of murdering father-in-law
Dan Serafini, a former MLB pitcher who also played four seasons in NPB, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2021 shooting that claimed the life of his father-in-law and left his mother-in-law injured. The victims in the June 5, 2021, attack were Robert Gary Spohr, 70, who was found dead in a home in North Lake Tahoe, California, from a single gunshot. Also shot was his wife, Wendy Wood, then 68. She recovered from the injures but died by suicide one year later. The family cited the trauma of the attack as the reason for her death. Prosecutors said the fatal incident involved a $1.3 million ranch renovation project and presented text message evidence of the escalation of the disagreement and premeditation prior to the shooting. One text message sent prior to the attack read, "I'm going to kill them one day." Serafini and 33-year-old Samantha Scott were charged as co-defendants last year. In February, Scott pleaded guilty to an accessory charge and during the trial was introduced as a close friend of one of the Spohrs' daughters, Erin. Erin was married to Serafini and testified that they had an open marriage and was aware Scott was romantically involved with her husband. Erin Spohr testified that she did not believe Serafini murdered her father or shot her mother. Video surveillance from the home and surrounding area showed a man wearing a hood, face covering and a backpack walking to the Spohrs' home before the homicide. Evidence presented at the trial alleged Serafini was in the home nearly three hours before the attack. Information gathered during a two-year investigation led them to Serafini and Scott. Serafini is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18 in Placer County, California. The Minnesota Twins selected Serafini, a native of the San Francisco area, with the No. 26 overall pick in the 1992 MLB Draft. He made his debut in 1996 and went on to appear in 104 games (33 starts) with the Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. In his MLB career, he had a 15-16 record with a 6.04 ERA and one save. He threw 263⅔ innings and struck out 127 batters. Serafini spent four seasons in Japan, two each with the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Orix Buffaloes. In 2005, he had an 11-4 record with a 2.91 ERA under manager Bobby Valentine as part of a Marines team that won the Japan Series.
New York Times
15-07-2025
- New York Times
Dan Serafini, Former Baseball Pitcher, Is Convicted of Murder
Dan Serafini, a former pitcher and first-round pick of the Minnesota Twins, was convicted on Monday in the 2021 execution-style shootings of his wealthy in-laws at their home at Lake Tahoe. On the third day of deliberations in the high-profile case, a jury in Placer County, Calif., convicted Mr. Serafini, 51, of first-degree murder in the killing of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, 70, and attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, who survived being shot in the head. She died by suicide in 2023 at age 70, according to her family. Mr. Serafini, who has denied being involved in the shootings, was also found guilty of special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and first-degree burglary. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18. During his six-week trial in Superior Court in Auburn, Calif., prosecutors described Mr. Serafini as having had an acrimonious relationship with his in-laws, who were worth millions, and said that he had once been overheard offering $20,000 to have them killed. The prosecutors presented testimony from Samantha Scott, the family's former nanny, with whom they said that Mr. Serafini was having an affair and who helped commit the crime. Ms. Scott, who was initially charged with murder and attempted murder, pleaded guilty in February to being an accessory to a felony and is awaiting sentencing. Jurors also viewed security camera footage from June 5, 2021, the day of the shootings. The recordings showed a masked and hooded man, who prosecutors said was Mr. Serafini, waiting for his in-laws, who were out boating, to return to their home. Both of the victims were shot in the head at close range, execution style, the authorities said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Fox News
Ex-MLB pitcher Dan Serafini found guilty of murdering father-in-law
Dan Serafini, a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the big leagues from 1996 to 2007, was found guilty of murdering his father-in-law and attempting to kill his mother-in-law in 2021, California officials announced on Monday. A Placer County jury also found Serafini, 51, guilty of first-degree burglary in addition to the first-degree murder and attempted murder of Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood, officials said. The incident occurred on June 5, 2021, as first responders arrived at a home in Tahoe City and found Spohr dead from a single gunshot wound and Wood wounded. Wood recovered from the injuries but died by suicide a year later. Video surveillance from the home showed a man wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, face covering and a backpack approaching the house hours before the murder occurred, according to FOX 2 San Francisco. Another video showed the same man walking up the driveway of the home. Evidence from the two-year investigation pointed to Serafini and his romantic partner, Samantha Scott. Prosecutors said they believed the murder occurred over a $1.3 million renovation project, according to Field Level Media. One text message provided as evidence, "I am going to kill them one day." Serafini is set for sentencing on Aug. 18 in Placer County. The Minnesota Twins selected Serafini in the first round of the 1992 MLB Draft. He made his debut for them in 1996 and pitched three seasons before joining the Chicago Cubs in 1999. He also played for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
National Post
15-07-2025
- National Post
Ex-MLB pitcher convicted of murdering father-in-law
Dan Serafini, a former pitcher who played seven seasons in the majors, was convicted Monday of murdering his father-in-law in a dispute over $1.3 million US. Article content Serafini, who ended his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies in 2007, was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Robert Gary Spohr, the attempted murder of Spohr's wife Wendy Wood and of first-degree burglary, according to ABC News. Article content Article content Article content Serafini reportedly broke into his in-laws' Homewood, Calif., house on June 5, 2021, and waited three hours before attacking them with a .22-calibre gun, according to prosecutors. Article content Spohr, 70, died in the ambush, while Wood survived after being shot twice in the head. Wood, however, died by suicide in 2023 with family members saying lingering trauma from the incident was a contributing factor. Article content Two children under the age of three also were present in the home at the time of the attack, but were unharmed. Article content Prosecutors reportedly said the incident stemmed from an argument over a ranch renovation project that the elderly couple invested in. Article content 'I'm gonna kill them one day,' Serafini wrote regarding a portion of the investment in a text message prosecutors revealed. Article content He also sent messages saying, 'I will be coming after you,' and, 'Take me to court,' per ABC. Article content Article content Serafini reportedly had received $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack. Article content Article content Adrienne Sphor, the couple's daughter, called it a 'heinous and calculated' crime and said her parents had been 'incredibly generous' to Serafini and his wife Erin. Article content 'It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot and it's been four years of just hell,' Adrienne said Monday. 'Today, finally, justice was served.' Article content 'At this point, our focus is on the sentencing and making sure that Dan Serafini never sees outside of a jail ever again.' Article content Serafini reportedly is being held without bail until his sentencing date, which is set for Aug. 18. Article content Serafini's middling MLB career spanned from 1996-2007, making appearances with six teams including the Rockies, Twins, Cubs, Pirates, Reds and Padres. Article content
Edmonton Journal
15-07-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Ex-MLB pitcher Dan Serafini convicted of murdering father-in-law
Dan Serafini, a former pitcher who played seven seasons in the majors, was convicted Monday of murdering his father-in-law in a dispute over $1.3 million US. Article content Serafini, who ended his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies in 2007, was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Robert Gary Spohr, the attempted murder of Spohr's wife Wendy Wood and of first-degree burglary, according to ABC News. Article content Article content Serafini reportedly broke into his in-laws' Homewood, Calif., house on June 5, 2021, and waited three hours before attacking them with a .22-calibre gun, according to prosecutors. Article content Article content Spohr, 70, died in the ambush, while Wood survived after being shot twice in the head. Wood, however, died by suicide in 2023 with family members saying lingering trauma from the incident was a contributing factor. Article content Two children under the age of three also were present in the home at the time of the attack, but were unharmed. Article content Prosecutors reportedly said the incident stemmed from an argument over a ranch renovation project that the elderly couple invested in. Article content 'I'm gonna kill them one day,' Serafini wrote regarding a portion of the investment in a text message prosecutors revealed. Article content Article content He also sent messages saying, 'I will be coming after you,' and, 'Take me to court,' per ABC. Article content Article content Serafini reportedly had received $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack. Article content Adrienne Sphor, the couple's daughter, called it a 'heinous and calculated' crime and said her parents had been 'incredibly generous' to Serafini and his wife Erin. Article content 'It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot and it's been four years of just hell,' Adrienne said Monday. 'Today, finally, justice was served.' Article content 'At this point, our focus is on the sentencing and making sure that Dan Serafini never sees outside of a jail ever again.' Article content Article content Serafini reportedly is being held without bail until his sentencing date, which is set for Aug. 18. Article content Serafini's middling MLB career spanned from 1996-2007, making appearances with six teams including the Rockies, Twins, Cubs, Pirates, Reds and Padres. Article content
