Daniel Serafini, the former Major League pitcher convicted of murdering his father-in-law, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in California.
The 52-year-old was convicted in July of first-degree murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, and first-degree burglary. Wood took her own life a year after the 2021 shooting. Her son-in-law was charged with the crime in 2023.
Prosecutors alleged Serafini executed the 2021 hit to secure his wife’s share of a massive $23 million inheritance just hours after she had left her family’s property. Serafini hated his in-laws and was heard telling friends he would pay $20,000 to have them killed, according to prosecutors.
Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and the shooting greatly impacted their family members and friends, Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a statement on Friday.
‘The impact of this attack has extended far beyond the immediate victims, deeply affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting harm caused by deliberate violence,’ Gire said.
Adrienne Spohr, daughter of the victims, spoke out against Serafini at the trial.
Daniel Serafini, the former Major League pitcher convicted of murdering his father-in-law, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in California
Prosecutors say Spohr was ‘executed’ with a bullet to the back of his head, while Wood was struck by gunfire. She would later take her own life one year after Spohr’s killing
‘Daniel is true evil,’ she said. ‘I’m left with the lasting image of my dad shot in the back of the head and my mom lying on her back bleeding out. Dan destroyed the lives of my parents and all four of their children.
‘Danny Serafini should never see the outside of a prison ever again.’
The journeyman pitcher maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming he was partying with his wife when the shooting took place.
Serafini also described himself as a ‘broken, imperfect man that makes mistakes.’
The retired southpaw made several shocking admissions during a high-stakes bid for a new trial.
Serafini was said to be having an affair with his children’s nanny Samantha Scott (pictured)
Adrienne Spohr, the sister of Serafini’s wife Erin (pictured) has spoken out on her parents
He confirmed he held the title of ‘keyholder’ – slang for a leader of an inmate faction – while being held at the South Placer County Jail during the proceedings. Serafini also admitted to leading a group of ‘white guys’ during those months, though he noted he lost the status after being transferred to a different facility.
Serafini told the court he was responsible for disciplining those who ‘ran afoul’ of his group or broke the strict rules established by the inmates.
While he denied ordering physical assaults, he admitted under oath that at least six inmates were forced to perform exercises as a form of non-violent punishment.
He further admitted to using a variety of illegal narcotics over the years and confessed to using his late father-in-law’s prescription medication after his death.
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 19982, Dan Serafini’s MLB career lasted 11 years
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1992, Serafini’s MLB career lasted 11 years and included stints with the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
He later owned a bar with his wife, Erin, which was featured in a 2015 episode of Bar Rescue.
Erin filed for divorce a week after his conviction. During the trial, prosecutors had questioned her about Serafini’s years-long affair with her friend and occasional babysitter, Samantha Scott. That affair allegedly began after the 2021 shooting.
Scott previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory and is due back in court in March for her sentencing.
