SANTA CLARA, CA – July 13, 2025 — Daniel Serafini, a 51-year-old former Major League Baseball pitcher, was convicted Monday of first-degree murder for the 2021 shooting death of his father-in-law, Robert Gary Spohr, 70, in what prosecutors described as a financially motivated assault. Serafini was also convicted of attempting to murder Spohr’s wife, Wendy Wood, and of first-degree burglary.
The jury’s verdict followed a lengthy trial where evidence presented by prosecutors painted a grim picture of a planned, cold-blooded attack on the Spohr family. Serafini’s actions on June 5, 2021, were revealed to be the culmination of months of planning that resulted in the tragic death of Spohr and the physical and emotional trauma of his wife, Wendy Wood.
The Murder: A Night of Brutality in the Spohr Household
On the evening of June 5, 2021, Serafini entered the Spohr family home in Santa Clara, California, under the cover of darkness. Surveillance footage shown during the trial revealed that Serafini, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, arrived at the residence three hours before any 911 call was made. Prosecutors allege that Serafini concealed himself inside the home with a .22 caliber weapon while waiting for the right moment to launch his assault.
The attack began when Serafini emerged from his hiding spot and shot Robert Gary Spohr multiple times, fatally wounding him. Wendy Wood, Spohr’s wife and Serafini’s mother-in-law, was also shot but survived the initial assault.
At the time of the attack, two young children, aged 3 years and 8 months, were present in the home, though they were thankfully not physically harmed during the gunfire.
Prosecutors argue that the motive behind the murder was financial, with Serafini attempting to gain control of the Spohr family’s wealth. The financial turmoil between Serafini and his in-laws had been documented, and authorities believe Serafini was motivated by personal financial gain and resentment toward his family.
The Conviction: First-Degree Murder and Attempted Murder
After a seven-day trial, the jury found Daniel Serafini guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Robert Gary Spohr, and attempted murder in the assault on Wendy Wood. They also convicted him of first-degree burglary for unlawfully entering the home with the intent to commit murder.
In addition to the guilty verdicts, the jury found that Serafini’s actions had been premeditated, which led to the conviction of first-degree murder. The presence of the children at the scene only further compounded the gravity of the crime.
Assistant District Attorney Maria Alvarado, who led the prosecution, said:
“This was a senseless and tragic act, driven by greed and a lack of conscience. The Spohr family has lost a beloved patriarch, and Wendy Wood has been left with the emotional scars of a horrific crime.”
Wendy Wood’s Tragic Death: The Aftermath of the Attack
Following the attack on June 5, Wendy Wood, who had been deeply impacted by the trauma of witnessing her husband’s murder, endured significant physical and emotional suffering. She lived with the mental and emotional scars of the shooting for the next two years, but in 2023, Wood tragically died, with her family stating that the psychological trauma from the shooting played a substantial role in her death.
“The toll of what happened that night was something Wendy could never truly recover from,” said a family spokesperson. “While we do not know the exact cause of her passing, we believe the constant emotional distress she suffered after losing Robert contributed to her health deteriorating.”
Wood is survived by her children, including Serafini’s ex-wife, as well as grandchildren who have lost both of their maternal grandparents due to the violent actions of one individual.
Serafini’s Background: A Former MLB Pitcher with a Troubled Past
Before the tragic events of 2021, Daniel Serafini was known for his career as a Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for several teams throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, including the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics. Despite his success in sports, Serafini’s personal life was marked by turmoil, including divorces, financial issues, and strained relationships with family members.
In the years leading up to the murder, Serafini had become increasingly isolated and faced significant financial struggles, which prosecutors believe were central to his motivation for murdering his father-in-law and attempting to kill his mother-in-law.
Serafini’s actions in the case have left many questioning how someone with such a promising career could fall to such desperate and violent measures. His former teammates and colleagues expressed shock at the news of his involvement in the crime.
“I knew him as a ballplayer, not someone capable of such violence,” said one of Serafini’s former teammates, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s hard to reconcile the person we knew on the field with the person he became off of it.”
The Future: Sentencing and Legal Repercussions
Serafini, who had been in custody since his arrest in 2021, now faces decades in prison for his role in the double shooting. Sentencing is scheduled for later this month, where Serafini is expected to be handed a lengthy prison sentence. First-degree murder convictions typically carry life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after a certain number of years, depending on the circumstances.
The case has sparked broader discussions about the impact of family dynamics and the mental health challenges that may have contributed to Serafini’s actions. His case serves as a tragic reminder of how financial stress, unresolved family conflict, and unchecked emotions can sometimes escalate into irreversible violence.
A Family in Mourning: Seeking Justice for Robert Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood
As the case draws to a close, the family members of Robert Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood continue to process their grief. While they have seen justice in the conviction of Daniel Serafini, they will forever be affected by the loss of two cherished family members.
In a statement released by the family, they said:
“No verdict can bring Robert and Wendy back, but today we have some sense of closure. We hope that justice for them can help bring healing to the pain caused by this senseless act.”