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New York Times
a day ago
- 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini is convicted of murder in the 2021 shootings of his wife's parents
AUBURN, Calif. (AP) — Retired MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his wife's parents during a burglary at their home four years ago near Lake Tahoe in California. A Placer County jury on Monday found the 51-year-old guilty of killing his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and severely wounding his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, on June 5, 2021, at their home on the lake's west shore. Wood received extensive rehabilitation but died a year after the shooting. Serafini also was convicted of first-degree burglary. Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Miller, who prosecuted the case, told jurors that Serafini hated his wife's wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, the Sacramento Bee reported. A left-hander, Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. The jury was shown transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws in which they were involved in a heated, ongoing dispute over a $1.3 million loan to help fund his wife's fledgling horse ranch business, the Bee reported. Defense attorney David Dratman argued that there was no physical evidence linking Serafini to the crime scene, noting that security camera footage showed a masked intruder entering the couple's home who appeared to be younger with a smaller body frame than the former baseball player. Dratman told the jury that although his client had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, the couple was generous with Serafini and his wife, loaning them money and treating them to lavish vacations. 'Does that provide a motive for murder? That's killing the golden goose,' Dratman said in his closing argument. Dratman declined to comment about the verdict. Serafini faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced Aug. 18.
Fox News
a day ago
- 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.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini is convicted of murder in the 2021 shootings of his wife's parents
Retired MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his wife's parents during a burglary at their home four years ago near Lake Tahoe in California. A Placer County jury on Monday found the 51-year-old guilty of killing his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and severely wounding his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, on June 5, 2021, at their home on the lake's west shore. Wood received extensive rehabilitation but died a year after the shooting. Serafini also was convicted of first-degree burglary. Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Miller, who prosecuted the case, told jurors that Serafini hated his wife's wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, the Sacramento Bee reported. A left-hander, Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. The jury was shown transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws in which they were involved in a heated, ongoing dispute over a $1.3 million loan to help fund his wife's fledgling horse ranch business, the Bee reported. Defense attorney David Dratman argued that there was no physical evidence linking Serafini to the crime scene, noting that security camera footage showed a masked intruder entering the couple's home who appeared to be younger with a smaller body frame than the former baseball player. Dratman told the jury that although his client had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, the couple was generous with Serafini and his wife, loaning them money and treating them to lavish vacations. 'Does that provide a motive for murder? That's killing the golden goose,' Dratman said in his closing argument. Dratman declined to comment about the verdict. Serafini faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced Aug. 18.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Associated Press
Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini is convicted of murder in the 2021 shootings of his wife's parents
AUBURN, Calif. (AP) — Retired MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his wife's parents during a burglary at their home four years ago near Lake Tahoe in California. A Placer County jury on Monday found the 51-year-old guilty of killing his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and severely wounding his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, on June 5, 2021, at their home on the lake's west shore. Wood received extensive rehabilitation but died a year after the shooting. Serafini also was convicted of first-degree burglary. Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Miller, who prosecuted the case, told jurors that Serafini hated his wife's wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, the Sacramento Bee reported. A left-hander, Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. The jury was shown transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws in which they were involved in a heated, ongoing dispute over a $1.3 million loan to help fund his wife's fledgling horse ranch business, the Bee reported. Defense attorney David Dratman argued that there was no physical evidence linking Serafini to the crime scene, noting that security camera footage showed a masked intruder entering the couple's home who appeared to be younger with a smaller body frame than the former baseball player. Dratman told the jury that although his client had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, the couple was generous with Serafini and his wife, loaning them money and treating them to lavish vacations. 'Does that provide a motive for murder? That's killing the golden goose,' Dratman said in his closing argument. Dratman declined to comment about the verdict. Serafini faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced Aug. 18.
