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Ex-MLB pitcher convicted of murder breaks silence from prison
TL;DR
Dan Serafini, a former MLB pitcher, was convicted of murder and attempted murder in July 2023 and sentenced to life in prison. The conviction stemmed from a 2021 shooting incident involving his in-laws in Lake Tahoe.
Dan Serafini, a journeyman MLB relief pitcher, was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison in February.
The conviction came two years after Serafini was arrested as the principal suspect in the shooting of his father-in-law, Gary Spohr, and mother-in-law, Wendy Wood-Spohr, inside their Lake Tahoe home in 2021.
Last July, a Northern California jury convicted Serafini of murder, attempted murder and burglary following a three-week trial. His defense attorneys did not call any witnesses, including Serafini himself.
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In a soon-to-be released interview with Dateline NBC, Serafini will plead his case.
âI believe the circumstantial stuff that (prosecutors) had was just making up a story,â Serafini told Keith Morrison. âThey had no proof, no anything.â
Serafini also blamed the jury for his conviction, as well as his trial attorneys.
â[The jury] just didnât like me,â he told Morrison. âThey didnât like my lifestyle. They didnât like the way I acted in court, which I didnât act anyway. So I sat there like I was supposed to because my lawyers told me to. Donât react. Donât respond. Sit there like nothing is bothering you.
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âAnd I did. And I got crucified for it.â
The episode, titled âDeadly Swagger,â airs April 17 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
NBC said the episode will also feature interviews with key figures in the investigation, including Detective Daniel Meier, Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire, and others.
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Serafini pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers organizations during a professional career that began in 1992.
The Northern California native pitched internationally in Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, and Venezuela, before retiring after the 2013 season. He also pitched for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Serafini finished his MLB career with a 15-16 record and 6.04 ERA (76 ERA+) in 104 career games (33 starts).
Q&A
What was Dan Serafini convicted of?
Dan Serafini was convicted of murder, attempted murder, and burglary.
What incident led to Dan Serafini's conviction?
His conviction was related to the shooting of his father-in-law and mother-in-law inside their Lake Tahoe home in 2021.
What was the outcome of Dan Serafini's trial?
After a three-week trial, a jury found Serafini guilty and he was sentenced to life in prison.
