Ex-pitcher Serafini sentenced to life in prison for 2021 murder
AUBURN, Calif. — Former MLB pitcher Daniel Serafini was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2021 shootings of his wife’s parents during a burglary at their home near Lake Tahoe, authorities said.
Serafini, 51, was convicted in July 2025 of the first-degree murder of his stepfather, Gary Spohr; attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood; and first-degree burglary. Spohr was killed and Wood survived, although she died a year after the shooting.
Placer County Prosecutor Morgan Gire said in a statement Friday that Spohr and Wood were loving grandparents and that Serafini’s crimes have had a significant impact on family members and friends.
“The impact of this attack extended far beyond the immediate victims, profoundly affecting family members and the broader community, and highlighting the lasting damage caused by deliberate violence,” Gire said.
Serafini’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
During his sentencing hearing, Serafini addressed the court and maintained his innocence, according to MyNews4. He said he was partying with his wife the night of the shooting and described himself as a “broken, imperfect man who makes mistakes.”
Serafini was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. During an 11-year career, the left-hander played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
Prosecutors said Serafini hated his wife’s wealthy parents and 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 difficult relationship with his in-laws, he had no reason to kill them.
After his conviction, Serafini filed several motions for a new trial, but these were denied.
Serafini will serve his sentence at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the Placer County Prosecutor’s Office.
