Latest news with #Serafini
Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Dan Serafini, former Chicago Cubs pitcher, convicted of murder in the 2021 shootings of his wife's parents
AUBURN, Calif. — Retired MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings of his wife's parents at their home four years ago near Lake Tahoe in California. A Placer County jury on Monday found Serafini 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. Serafini, 51, also was convicted of first-degree burglary. Serafini entered the Spohrs' Lake Tahoe home June 5, 2021, where prosecutors said he secretly waited with a .22 caliber gun for several hours for the victims to return before ambushing them. Two children, ages 3 years and 8 months, were in the home at the time. According to evidence presented at trial, when the Spohrs arrived, Serafini shot both of them in the head and fled the house. Wood survived and called 911. She died by suicide in 2023. Two years later police arrested Serafini and his nanny-turned-lover, Samantha Scott, 33. Scott pleaded guilty in February to an accessory charge. Serafini's motive centered on a $1.3 million dispute over the renovation of a horse ranch, according to prosecutors. Serafini, prosecutors said, hated his in-laws and had written 'I'm gonna kill them one day' in a text message mentioning $21,000, according to ABC News Sacramento affiliate KXTV. The victims had given $90,000 to Serafini's wife, Erin, the day of the shootings. 'It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot, and it's been four years of just hell,' Adrienne Spohr, the victims' daughter and Serafini's sister-in-law, said after the verdict. Adrienne was heard gasping and crying along with others in the courtroom when the verdict was read aloud, according to KXTV. Serafini shook his head in disagreement. The mandatory minimum for first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement is 25 years to life, but could increase to 35 years depending on how the charges are applied. The Minnesota Twins made Serafini their first-round draft pick in 1992 out of Junipero Serra High in San Mateo, Calif., the same school all-time home run king Barry Bonds attended. Serafini made his big-league debut in 1996 with the Twins and pitched in parts of seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. Serafini pitched in Japan from 2004-07 before returning to the U.S. He was suspended for 50 games in 2007 for using performance-enhancing drugs that he blamed on medication he took in Japan. He also pitched for Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. On June 28, 2015, Serafini's bar in Sparks, Nev., was featured on an episode of Bar Rescue. The bar's named was changed from The Bullpen Bar to The Oak Tavern as part of the makeover, but not before his financial woes were described as blowing through $14 million in career earnings and taking a $250,000 loan from his parents. Serafini's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18. He will remain in custody without bail until then.
UPI
15-07-2025
- UPI
Ex-MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini guilty of father-in-law's 2021 murder
July 15 (UPI) -- A jury convicted ex-MLB player Daniel Serafini in the four-year-old murder of his father-in-law and attempted killing of his mother-in-law at their California home. On Monday, jurors in Placer County found Serafini, 51, guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder and burglary in the community of Homewood on the west shore of Lake Tahoe where he shot the couple in June 2021. Robert Spohr, 70, was shot and killed execution-style, according to investigators. His wife, 70-year-old Wendy Wood, was shot in the head twice but survived. However, she died a year later. Following a two-year investigation, Serafini was arrested in October 2023 with his nanny-turned-lover Samantha Scott, 33. Scott admitted to driving Serafini to his in-laws home. In February, she pleaded guilty after the fact to accessory but was released from custody and awaits sentencing. Serafini's wife, Erin Spohr, testified during the trial that she had an open marriage with her husband but still trusted him. Richard Miller, the assistant chief deputy DA who prosecuted Serafini, told jurors that Serafini hated his wife's well-off parents and allegedly told other people that he was willing to pay $20,000 to get them killed, the Sacramento Bee reported. Adrienne Spohr, her sister, has been pushing for justice in the case since the deadly attack. She commented Monday that the Placer County DA and sheriff's office "never gave up." "It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot, and it's been four years of just hell," she told CBS outside the courthouse. Serafini is a San Francisco-born native and in 1992 got selected by the Minnesota Twins in that year's MLB draft. In addition to a tour in Italy during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, he played for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and in August 2003 was signed to join the Cincinnati Reds. He has a scheduled sentencing on August 18 and faces a max sentence of life in prison without a chance of parole.
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
Toronto Sun
15-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Ex-MLB pitcher Dan Serafini convicted of murdering father-in-law
Retired pitcher convicted of first-degree murder as well as attempted murder of mother-in-law Dan Serafini throws a pitch for the Colorado Rockies during a game in 2007. Photo by Doug Pensinger / Files / Getty Images 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. 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 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. 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. 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. Two children under the age of three also were present in the home at the time of the attack, but were unharmed. 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. Read More Prosecutors reportedly said the incident stemmed from an argument over a ranch renovation project that the elderly couple invested in. 'I'm gonna kill them one day,' Serafini wrote regarding a portion of the investment in a text message prosecutors revealed. He also sent messages saying, 'I will be coming after you,' and, 'Take me to court,' per ABC. Serafini reportedly had received $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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.' 'At this point, our focus is on the sentencing and making sure that Dan Serafini never sees outside of a jail ever again.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Serafini reportedly is being held without bail until his sentencing date, which is set for Aug. 18. Serafini's middling MLB career spanned from 1996-2007, making appearances with six teams including the Rockies, Twins, Cubs, Pirates, Reds and Padres. He had a career record of 15-16 over 104 games, including 33 starts, with a staggering ERA of 6.04. Following the 2007 season, Serafini received a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. During an appearance on reality TV show Bar Rescue featuring a Nevada bar Serafini had opened in 2013, the former pitcher claimed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement. Celebrity Toronto & GTA Columnists Editorial Cartoons NFL
Newsweek
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Former Cubs Pitcher Found Guilty of Murder: Reports
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. After three days of deliberation in Auburn, California, a jury returned a guilty verdict in the murder trial of former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Serafini on Monday. In addition to being found guilty of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, Serafini was found guilty on one count of attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood Spohr, and one count of first-degree burglary. More news: Former American League All-Star Pitcher Passes Away Serafini, 51, was accused of shooting his in-laws at the couple's home near Lake Tahoe in Northern California in June 2021. He will remain in custody with no bail pending sentencing, according to KCRA. Serafini pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers organizations during a professional career that began in 1992. Dan Serafini #29 of Italy delivers a pitch during World Baseball Classic game action against Canada during first round pool play at the 2009 World Baseball Classic on March 9, 2009 at Rogers Centre in... Dan Serafini #29 of Italy delivers a pitch during World Baseball Classic game action against Canada during first round pool play at the 2009 World Baseball Classic on March 9, 2009 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. MoreSerafini 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. Serafini retired after pitching four games as a 39-year-old in the Mexican League in 2013. More news: Former Orioles Pitcher Announces Return to Baseball Following Cancer Battle 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. According to KCRA, Serafini is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 18. He faces the possibility of life in prison. More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
