The former Major League Baseball player convicted of killing his father-in-law and trying to kill his mother-in-law was back in a California courtroom this week, arguing he deserves another chance in front of a jury.
Dan Serafini testified on Feb. 2 as part of a bid for a new trial, with his new defense team contending his prior representation was ineffective.
On the stand, Serafini said his previous attorneys refused to introduce a voicemail from his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood, or play it for jurors.
“The voicemail left from Wendy where she said, ‘I had restoration of my visions due to electric therapy and I know who the shooter was and it wasn’t you,’” Serafini’s attorney Barry Zimmerman said, confirming the message being discussed.
“Yes,” Serafini replied.
The voicemail was then played in court, according to KCRA.
Wood and her husband, Gary Spohr, were shot inside their Lake Tahoe home in 2021. Spohr was pronounced dead at the scene. Wood survived, despite being shot twice in the head at close range.
The voicemail, Serafini’s team suggested in court, was left after Wood received shock therapy during her recovery. Wood later died by suicide in 2023.
Serafini — a first-round draft pick who pitched for the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs in the late 1990s — was arrested in October 2023 following a two-year investigation into the shooting.
In July, a jury found Serafini guilty of murder, attempted murder and burglary after a three-week trial in which the defense called no witnesses.
Prosecutors argued Serafini carried out the attack after being dropped off near the victims’ $3.5 million Lake Tahoe home by babysitter Samantha Scott. They said he then entered the house while the victims were away on their boat with Serafini’s wife, Erin Spohr, and their two young sons.
The state also pointed to circumstances they said suggested the gunman knew the victims: investigators found no sign of forced entry and no evidence anything was stolen, despite the shooter entering during the day while three cars were parked in the driveway.
Prosecutors further argued Serafini’s motive was financial — claiming he stood to benefit from the victims’ $23 million estate, which would have been divided between their two daughters, Erin and Adrienne Spohr.
After the conviction, Erin filed for divorce. Still, she was present in court for Serafini’s Feb. 2 hearing, KCRA reported.
Serafini has already tried to secure a new trial once. He previously filed a motion alleging jury misconduct, but a judge dismissed that request in January.
During his latest testimony, Serafini also said he paid his previous attorneys $300,000. He told the court he expected that fee to include expert witnesses who would testify on his behalf — but said his earlier legal team chose not to call anyone at trial.
He also claimed he had both an alibi and an eyewitness for the day of the shooting, but said neither was presented to jurors.
Serafini is still scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20 unless the court grants him a new trial.
