A former MLB pitcher was discovered responsible of homicide and tried homicide of his spouse’s mother and father in a 2021 Lake Tahoe assault, the place he waited inside their house with a gun in what prosecutors say was a financially motivated killing.
Danny Serafini, 51, faces in life in jail after a jury convicted him within the homicide of his father-in-law, Robert Gary Spohr, 70, in accordance with the Placer County District Lawyer’s Workplace. His mother-in-law, Wendy Woods, survived the capturing however died by suicide a 12 months later.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Workplace arrested Serafini and his lover, Samantha Scott, two years after discovering Spohr lifeless on the house.
Deputies had been known as to the Lake Tahoe house on June 5, 2021, the place they discovered Spohr lifeless and Woods shot, the sheriff’s workplace stated. An investigation discovered safety footage of a hooded male sporting a face overlaying and a backpack strolling to the residence a number of hours earlier than the slaying.
The sheriff’s workplace stated on 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 responsible to being an adjunct to a felony, in accordance with NBC Information affiliate KCRA. She then testified in opposition to Serafini at trial, admitting to having an affair with him.
She testified that she gave a trip to Serafini the day of the capturing, however believed it was due to a drug deal, KCRA reported. Scott informed the courtroom she later suspected Serafini may need been concerned within the assault, however that Serafini later admitted that he “shot Wendy twice within the head and as soon as within the hand and survived it,” in accordance with KCRA.
Serafini’s legal professional, David Dratman, tried to undermine Scott’s testimony by mentioning her modified story and her plea deal. Dratman didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The jury discovered Serafini responsible of first-degree housebreaking along with the homicide and tried homicide fees.
Prosecutors accused Serafini of killing his in-laws to ensure that he and his spouse, Erin Spohr, to realize entry to a multi-million greenback inheritance after Serafini’s baseball profession ended.
His spouse testified that her mother and father reduce the couple a $90,000 examine the day of the assault, SFGate reported, which she believed was proof that her husband did not have to kill them. The information outlet additionally reported that she testified her mother and father had a belief value $11 million and owned tens of millions extra in property.
Serafini spent seven years within the large leagues, logging time with the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies. His busiest season was in 1998, going 7-4 with a 6.48 ERA for the Twins.
He additionally pitched professionally in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico.
Adrienne Spohr, Serafini’s sister-in-law, informed reporters following the decision that she seems ahead to his sentencing on Aug. 18, in accordance with KCRA.
“It has been 4 years of hell,” she stated.
