Dan Serafini Trial: Ex-MLB Pitcher Convicted of Murdering In-Laws

The Guilty Verdict in the Case of Former MLB Pitcher Dan Serafini
A former Major League Baseball pitcher, Dan Serafini, has been found guilty of murdering his father-in-law and attempting to murder his mother-in-law following a 2021 home ambush in the Tahoe area. The incident occurred on June 5, 2021, when 70-year-old Gary Spohr was killed, and his wife, 68-year-old Wendy Wood, was seriously injured. Although Wendy survived the attack, she later died by suicide years later.
The jury also found Serafini guilty of several special circumstances, including lying in wait, the use of a firearm, and first-degree burglary. Additional enhancements were confirmed, such as the discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, premeditated attacks, and willful actions. However, the jury did not find Serafini guilty of child endangerment, despite prosecutors alleging that he endangered his infant and toddler son during the incident.
Serafini’s wife, Erin Spohr, had taken their children to the lake that day to be with their grandparents. The case is set for sentencing on August 18, where Serafini could face a life sentence in prison.
The trial lasted six weeks and concluded after the jury deliberated for three days. The verdict was announced at 2:30 p.m. at the Historic Auburn Courthouse. During the trial, the jury consisted of ten women and two men, with four alternate jurors. They spent two and a half days deliberating, with one juror, Gracee Butrick, describing the process as thorough and meticulous.
Reactions to the Verdict
In the courtroom, the victims’ youngest daughter, Adrienne Spohr, was visibly emotional upon hearing the guilty verdict. She was comforted by friends who held her hands. The other daughter, Erin Spohr, who is married to Serafini, dropped her head and quietly cried. Serafini, meanwhile, looked down as the verdict was read, shook his head, and later glanced at his wife.
After the verdict, Adrienne spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, expressing that justice had been served. She described the past four years as “a hell” and thanked investigators for their persistence in finding the person responsible for her parents’ deaths. She also praised Deputy DA Rick Miller’s closing argument, calling it “beautiful.” Adrienne wore her mother’s engagement ring and her father’s ashes in a necklace, showing her deep connection to her family.
When asked about memories of her parents, Adrienne recalled mountain biking with them, coming home to enjoy music while her father cooked fish and poured a glass of wine. She expressed joy in remembering how her parents enjoyed their retired life before their lives were tragically taken.
Deliberations and Evidence Considered
Juror Gracee Butrick shared insights into the jury’s decision-making process. She explained that the group took their time deliberating and even requested additional pen and paper to take notes. The jury closely examined security videos, particularly one showing a hooded and masked suspect entering and exiting the victims' Lake Tahoe home on the day of the shootings.
Butrick emphasized the importance of reviewing the evidence carefully, noting that they analyzed each video frame by frame, compared body types, hair, and shoes, and discussed these details extensively. She expressed confidence in the verdict and acknowledged the emotional weight of the case.
Closing Arguments and Key Testimonies
Before the jury began its deliberation, Deputy DA Rick Miller delivered his closing arguments, starting with graphic crime scene photos that he described as “an awful crime.” He presented a timeline using maps, cell phone records, and security footage to show the movements of Serafini, his former lover, Samantha Scott, and the victims on the relevant days.
Serafini's defense attorney, David W. Dratman, countered by questioning the credibility of key witnesses. Both sides focused on the testimonies of Serafini’s wife, Erin Spohr, and Scott. Scott testified that she drove Serafini to his in-laws’ neighborhood, waited for hours, and watched him discard gun parts, a silencer, and clothes out the car window upon returning to Nevada.
The prosecution argued that Scott’s testimony provided “mountainous corroboration,” while the defense claimed she fabricated her story to secure a plea deal and avoid her own trial. Erin Spohr testified that the man seen in surveillance footage on the day of the shooting was not her husband. She also accused Scott of being dishonest about her relationship with Serafini, despite the couple having an open relationship.
Trial Coverage and Public Interest
The trial, held at Auburn’s historic courthouse, drew significant public attention. KCRA 3 reporters provided daily updates through a live blog, covering key developments over the six-week period. Some highlights included the testimony of a seasoned fire captain who called the crime scene “shocking,” emotional moments when the jury viewed video of Serafini’s children and grandparents, and the testimony of Serafini’s brother.
Other notable events included the presentation of emails between the victims and Serafini, text messages shown to the jury, and the testimony of an FBI physical scientist. The trial concluded with closing arguments on July 8, followed by the jury’s final verdict.
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