Former MLB pitcher sentenced to life in prison without parole for shooting his in-laws
Auburn, Calif. (AP) — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2021 shooting of his wife’s parents during a burglary of their home on the shores of Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51 years old Sentenced in July 2025 He is charged with the first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, the attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived, but died a year after the shooting.
Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a statement Friday that Spohr and Wood loved their grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes greatly affected their family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack extended far beyond the direct victims, profoundly impacting family members and society more broadly, and underlining the lasting damage caused by intentional violence,” Gire said. he said.
Serafini’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.
During the sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and defended his innocence: According to MyNews4. The man, who said he went to a party with his wife on the night of the shooting, described himself as “a mistake-making, resentful, flawed man.”
Serafini was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. During his career spanning 11 years, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Prosecutors said Serafini was heard saying he hated his wife’s wealthy parents and was willing to pay $20,000 to kill them. Sacramento Bee. Prosecutors showed jurors transcripts of angry emails and text messages between Serafini and her mother-in-law.
During the six-week trial, Serafini’s attorney, David Dratman, argued that there was no physical evidence connecting his client to the crime scene. He told the jury that although Serafini had a rocky relationship with his in-laws, he had no reason to kill them.
Following his conviction, Serafini made numerous applications for a new trial, but these were rejected.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
