Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was convicted Monday of first-degree homicide of his father-in-law and tried homicide of his mother-in-law over a monetary dispute.
Serafini, a 51-year-old who spent seven seasons in the majors from 1996-2007, was discovered responsible in the 2021 capturing of 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr, and in the tried homicide of Spohr’s spouse, Wendy Wood, ABC News reported. Serafini has also been convicted of first-degree housebreaking.
The former starter/reliever reportedly entered his in-laws’ home in Homewood, Calif., on June 5, 2021, three hours before an eventual 911 call, and waited with a .22 caliber gun for three hours before attacking the couple, prosecutors said, per ABC.
Daniel Serafini’s mugshot. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office
Two kids, aged 3 and eight months, were also in the home at the time of the attack.
While Wood survived the attack, she died by suicide in 2023, and her household said the trauma from that night time led to her loss of life, per the report.
Daniel Serafini pitching in July 1998 with the Twins. Getty Images
Prosecutors reportedly said this deadly incident stemmed from a $1.3 million spat regarding a ranch renovation challenge, with the aged couple making that funding, according to abc10.com.
Serafini wrote, “I’m gonna kill them one day,” in a textual content message prosecutors revealed regarding $21,000, per abc10.com.
He also despatched messages stating, “I will be coming after you” and “Take me to court,” per the outlet.
Robert Gary Sphor and Wedny Wood in 2021. Placer County Sheriff
Serafini reportedly had obtained $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack.
Adrienne Sphor, daughter of Robert and Wendy, called it a “heinous and calculated” crime, and added that her dad and mom had been “incredibly generous” to Serafini and his spouse, Erin.
“It’s been four years since my mom and dad were shot and it’s been four years of just hell,” Spohr said Monday. “Today, finally, justice was served.”
She added, “At this point, our focus is on the sentencing and making sure that Dan Serafini never sees outside of a jail ever again.”
Daniel Serafini in courtroom on October 2023. Paul Kitagaki Jr/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire / Shutterstock
The case included a second defendant in 33-year-old Samantha Scott, who pleaded responsible to an accent cost in February 2025, per ABC10.com.
Scott is described as a shut buddy of Serafini’s spouse and his lover, per abc10.com, and Nevada police arrested the pair in separate cities in October 2023.
“Today, justice was served. The apprehension of those responsible for the tragic events that unfolded in Homewood, North Lake Tahoe in 2021 stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our detectives, law enforcement partners, and the persistence of our pursuit of truth,” Placer County (Calif.) sheriff Wayne Woo said in a assertion posted to Facebook on Oct. 20, 2023.
“Understand that my team’s commitment to unraveling the most complex of cases prevails, and those who inflict harm upon our community will be held accountable every time.”
Samantha Scott ins handcuffs. Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Serafini is reportedly being held with out bail until his Aug. 18 sentencing.
He went 15-16 with a 6.04 ERA in his profession that spanned six totally different groups after being chosen by the Twins in the twenty sixth spherical of the 1992 draft.
Serafini spent three years with the Twins from 1996-98 before spending time with the Cubs, Pirates and Padres during the 1999-2000 seasons.
Daniel Serafini spent three years with the Twins. Getty Images
He returned for 10 video games with the 2003 Reds before taking another three-season break and ending his profession by showing in three video games and posting a 54.00 ERA with the 2007 Rockies.
Serafini obtained a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing medication that offseason.
He said on a “Bar Rescue” episode showcasing the Nevada bar he opened in 2013 that he had lost $14 million through unhealthy investments and a divorce settlement, according to jnylaw.com.
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