GUILTY CA - Robert Spohr, 70, fatally shot & Wendy Wood, 68, shot at home, Lake Tahoe, 5 June 2021

[Seattle1]

Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini convicted in Lake Tahoe murder case

Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini has been found guilty in the murder of his father-in-law and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law at their home in Lake Tahoe more than four years ago.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[SophieRose]

Former MLB pitcher Danny Serafini found guilty of murdering father-in-law in Lake Tahoe attack

Serafini, 51, faces in life in prison after a jury convicted him in the murder of his father-in-law and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law.

www.nbcnews.com

The sheriff's office said at the time of Serafini's 2023 arrest that a subsequent investigation led to Serafini and Scott as suspects.

Scott took a deal in February and pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a felony, according to NBC News affiliate KCRA. She then testified against Serafini at trial, admitting to having an affair with him.

She testified that she gave a ride to Serafini the day of the shooting, but believed it was because of a drug deal, KCRA reported. Scott told the court she later suspected Serafini might have been involved in the attack, but that Serafini later admitted that he "shot Wendy twice in the head and once in the hand and survived it,” according to KCRA.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[JosieMae]

Does anyone know when his sentencing is?

 

[Seattle1]

Does anyone know when his sentencing is?

Good question -- it's been set twice, and twice delayed-- including on Oct 28.

Serafini, convicted of first-degree murder of his father-in-law and attempted murder of his mother-in-law in their Lake Tahoe home in 2021, was scheduled to be sentenced. Instead, the court agreed to delay the sentencing after Serafini’s attorneys filed a motion for a new trial, citing jury misconduct.

The defense motion came last week after jurors, including Butrick, made statements to the media following the verdict regarding Serafini’s demeanor in court.

“I know I definitely made a comment of a certain look he gave after the verdict reading,” said Butrick. “I still stand by the statement I made that day; it was definitely a negative look he gave that day, definitely had a negative feeling to it.”

The case has become more complicated after Serafini’s newly appointed attorney, Jeffrey Wood, withdrew from the case unexpectedly, leaving his original defense attorneys to represent him today. Butrick says she believes this move is delaying closure for the family.

MSN

 

[Seattle1]

Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini wants new trial in Tahoe murder case claiming jury misconduct

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Serafini is back in court Tuesday morning, as he and his lawyer request a new trial following his murder conviction.

www.kcra.com

Oct 7, 2025

Serafini, 51, has not been sentenced yet, and he asked for new counsel after the conviction. That sentencing has been delayed until the request for a new trial is heard.

In court documents, Serafini has pointed to KCRA’s interview with three jurors days after they delivered their verdict. The documents claimed the interview demonstrated jury misconduct.

 

[Seattle1]

Ex-MLB star Serafini admits to being head of 'White guys' jail group

The former Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs star made several shock admissions during a high-stakes bid for a new trial in a California courtroom. He was found guilty of murder last July.

www.dailymail.co.uk

2/12/26

Serafini's defense recently introduced a voicemail from Wood claiming she knew he was not the shooter, but prosecutors hit back with a chilling counter-recording.

'I remember him walking over and seeing him shooting Gary and then pointing the gun at me,' Wood said in the recording played for the court during the hearing.

The judge is expected to rule on the motion for a new trial by February 20, and if the request is denied, the former Major Leaguer will be sentenced immediately.

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2027527502722437238

 

[Seattle1]

2/27/26

During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a "broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes."

[..]

Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife's wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.

During the six-week trial, Serafini's attorney, David Dratman, argued that there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. Dratman told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have motive to kill them.

After his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.

Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney's Office.

Ex-pitcher Serafini sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder

Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, attempted murder of his mother-in-law and first-degree burglary.

www.espn.com

 

[Seattle1]

Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole

Convicted killer and former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced by a judge on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

www.kcra.com

2/27/26

During court proceedings on Friday, the judge read victim impact statements and heard from Adrienne Spohr, the daughter of Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood.

"He thought he had gotten away with murder," she said. "He thought that he'd be cashing out my parents estate with his wife in the months afterwards. He was happy while my dad laid deceased and my mom laid bleeding out on her couch clinging to life."

She asked that Serafini be placed in solitary confinement because she was worried he would have someone kill her.

Serafini also addressed the court, saying he was wasn't a murderer and decried the justice system.

"Justice is fragile. I am just a man," he said. "I am far from perfect, but I am no murderer. We live in a society that lacks compassion and empathy. A society that sadly thrives on hearing the misfortunes of others. I sit before you today, a broken man, humiliated, embarrassed, angry, and sad. But I am no murderer. I am a survivor, and I am no murderer."

 

[Seattle1]

2/27/26

LIVE | Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini murder sentencing​

 

[Seattle1]

https://people.com/dan-serafini-sentenced-life-in-prison-for-shooting-in-laws-11916189

 

[Seattle1]

Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini sentenced to life in prison without parole in Tahoe murder

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Dan Serafini was sentenced Friday in Placer County to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2021 shootin

mynews4.com

2/27/26

The sentencing comes 193 days after a jury found Serafini guilty of first-degree murder, lying in wait and first-degree burglary in the killing of 70-year-old Gary Spohr. He was also convicted of attempted murder in the shooting of 68-year-old Wendy Wood, who survived the attack but later died by suicide.


Prosecutors said Serafini broke into the Homewood residence in June 2021 and waited for the couple to return from a boating outing before opening fire.

 

[Betty P]

2/27/26

During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was out partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a "broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes."

[..]

Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife's wealthy parents and was heard saying he was willing to pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to the Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and his in-laws.

During the six-week trial, Serafini's attorney, David Dratman, argued that there was no physical evidence linking his client to the crime scene. Dratman told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he did not have motive to kill them.

After his conviction, Serafini filed multiple motions for a new trial, but those were denied.

Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney's Office.

Ex-pitcher Serafini sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder

Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, attempted murder of his mother-in-law and first-degree burglary.

www.espn.com

He deserves that and more. What a greedy, callous, arrogant person. He still refuses to take responsibility for his actions. Let him live out the rest of his life behind bars.

 

[Seattle1]

2/27/26

LIVE | Former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini murder sentencing​

Wow. The victim impact statements are powerful and very telling -- nobody here is happy that the daughter/Serafini's wife was not criminally charged in this case!

And Serafini's defense attorney and his client are two peas in a pod! The Court certainly showed restraint in allowing him to speak. JMO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Former Major League Baseball pitcher daniel serafini was sentenced Friday in Placer County to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2021 shooting that killed his father-in-law and gravely wounded his mother-in-law at their Lake Tahoe-area home. The case has drawn attention for its mix of criminal convictions, allegations of financial motive and testimony about a June 2021 break-in at the Homewood residence.

The sentence was imposed Friday, coming 193 days after a jury found Serafini guilty on multiple counts. Jurors in July convicted him of first-degree murder, lying in wait and first-degree burglary in the death of 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr, and of attempted murder in the shooting of 68-year-old Wendy Wood, who survived the attack but later died by suicide a year after being wounded

Daniel Serafini Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Lake Tahoe In-Law Shooting

Former Major League Baseball pitcher daniel serafini was sentenced Friday in Placer County to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2021 shooting that killed his father-in-law and gravely wounded his mother-in-law at thei…

www.filmogaz.com