The trial for a former Major League Baseball pitcher accused of shooting his in-laws is expected to start Monday in Placer County.Prosecutors believe Dan Serafini, with the help of his friend Samantha Scott, ambushed 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr and 68-year-old Wendy Wood during a burglary at the Spohrs’ Lake Tahoe home in June 2021. Spohr died in the shooting, and Wood survived but later killed herself in 2023.Her daughter Adrienne Spohr previously told KCRA 3 that despite recovering from the attack, “she missed my dad terribly and was never able to comfortably live again in her home.”Serafini faces murder and attempted murder charges. At 1 p.m. Monday, a judge will hear some motions and review trial procedures.Days after the shooting, investigators discovered video surveillance footage from the home that showed a man wearing a hoodie and a face cover. He was seen walking up to the home hours before the shooting. Two years later, detectives determined the man in the hoodie was Serafini.The former MLB player pitched in the majors from 1996 to 2007 and was later featured in 2015 on an episode of the TV show “Bar Rescue,” which portrayed him as a bar owner in serious financial trouble.| RELATED | Who is Dan Serafini, the former MLB player accused in Tahoe-area murder case?He is also married to Erin Spohr.| VIDEO BELOW | Sisters sue each other over inheritance of Tahoe-area parents after 2021 deathsThe Placer County Sheriff’s Office has not released a possible motive in the shooting.Prosecutors in October 2024 stated they will not seek the death penalty if Serafini is convicted. The latest on Samantha ScottScott, on Feb. 6 of this year, pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a felony in connection with the deadly ambush. A Placer County sheriff’s investigator previously testified that Scott gave Serafini a ride on the day of the shooting.Both officials and Adrienne Spohr described Scott as being well-known and close to the Spohrs. In a statement to KCRA 3, Adrienne Spohr described the shooting as a “heinous, calculated crime” upon learning about the attack. She also explained that Gary Spohr and Wood were “incredibly generous to Daniel Serafini and Erin Spohr throughout their marriage.”A sentencing date for Scott has not yet been set.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
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The trial for a former Major League Baseball pitcher accused of shooting his in-laws is expected to start Monday in Placer County.
Prosecutors believe Dan Serafini, with the help of his friend Samantha Scott, ambushed 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr and 68-year-old Wendy Wood during a burglary at the Spohrs’ Lake Tahoe home in June 2021. Spohr died in the shooting, and Wood survived but later killed herself in 2023.
Her daughter Adrienne Spohr previously told KCRA 3 that despite recovering from the attack, “she missed my dad terribly and was never able to comfortably live again in her home.”
Courtesy of Adrienne Spohr
Serafini faces murder and attempted murder charges. At 1 p.m. Monday, a judge will hear some motions and review trial procedures.
Days after the shooting, investigators discovered video surveillance footage from the home that showed a man wearing a hoodie and a face cover. He was seen walking up to the home hours before the shooting.
Two years later, detectives determined the man in the hoodie was Serafini.
The former MLB player pitched in the majors from 1996 to 2007 and was later featured in 2015 on an episode of the TV show “Bar Rescue,” which portrayed him as a bar owner in serious financial trouble.
| RELATED | Who is Dan Serafini, the former MLB player accused in Tahoe-area murder case?
He is also married to Erin Spohr.
| VIDEO BELOW | Sisters sue each other over inheritance of Tahoe-area parents after 2021 deaths
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has not released a possible motive in the shooting.
Prosecutors in October 2024 stated they will not seek the death penalty if Serafini is convicted.
The latest on Samantha Scott
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Scott, on Feb. 6 of this year, pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a felony in connection with the deadly ambush. A Placer County sheriff’s investigator previously testified that Scott gave Serafini a ride on the day of the shooting.
Both officials and Adrienne Spohr described Scott as being well-known and close to the Spohrs.
In a statement to KCRA 3, Adrienne Spohr described the shooting as a “heinous, calculated crime” upon learning about the attack. She also explained that Gary Spohr and Wood were “incredibly generous to Daniel Serafini and Erin Spohr throughout their marriage.”
A sentencing date for Scott has not yet been set.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel