Former MLB Player Dan Serafini Declares Innocence in In-Laws' Shooting: 'The Justice System Let Me Down'

Dan Serafini, a former Major League Baseball player now serving a life sentence, insists he did not commit the crimes for which he was convicted. “I don’t understand it at all,” he expressed during an interview on Dateline, airing April 17. “I believed in the justice system. And the justice system failed.”

At 52 years old, Serafini received a life sentence without parole in February for the murder of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law, Wendy Wood. The tragic events unfolded in Tahoe City, California, in 2021, where authorities discovered Spohr deceased and Wood critically injured from gunshot wounds. Wood had managed to call 911 after being attacked by a masked assailant.

Serafini's arrest came in October 2023, following claims from detectives that he was involved in the incident. He entered a not guilty plea at that time. Although Wood survived, she suffered significant brain damage due to the shooting. In a heartbreaking turn of events, her daughter Adrienne Sphor later disclosed that Wood died by suicide while residing in an assisted-living facility.

At the time of the incident, Serafini was married to Erin Sphor, Adrienne’s sister. Following his conviction, Erin filed for divorce but still provided a letter of support to the judge during Serafini’s trial. In stark contrast, Adrienne urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence possible. “Dan Serafini should never see the outside of a prison again,” she stated during the February 27 sentencing hearing. “I also ask that you compel him to work to pay back his restitution, much of which is money that he blatantly stole from my parents.”

Allegations surfaced that Serafini was involved with a family friend, Samantha Scott, who also faced charges related to the murders. Erin testified that their relationship had been open since its inception. Scott ultimately struck a deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty to a lesser accessory charge in exchange for her testimony against Serafini. She entered her plea in February 2025 and was released pending sentencing, facing up to three years in prison.

Serafini attributed his conviction to jury bias, claiming they “just didn’t like me.” He elaborated on Dateline, stating, “They didn’t like my lifestyle. They didn’t like the way I acted in court. Which I didn’t act any way. I sat there like I was supposed to because my lawyers told me to. ‘Don’t react. Don’t respond. Sit there like nothing’s bothering you.’ And I did. And I got crucified for it.”