Sentencing will not move forward for Daniel Serafini, the former MLB player convicted of murdering his father-in-law in Homewood in 2021.
A Placer County judge confirmed Monday morning that sentencing is postponed, and a decision regarding a possible new trial will not be made today either.
According to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, a motion hearing for a new trial is scheduled for October 28 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 4.
A status conference hearing remains set for August 29 at 8:30 a.m., also in Department 4.
Serafini was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and burglary and remains in custody.
JULY 15, 2025:
A former MLB player convicted of killing his father-in-law in Homewood four years ago is set to be sentenced on August 18th.
Daniel Serafini was found guilty by a jury in Placer County Superior Court on Monday.
The 51-year-old was found guilty of murder in the first degree for the death of Robert Spohr in 2021. He was also found guilty of attempted murder and burglary, but he was found not guilty on child endangerment.
A former nanny of Serafini, Samantha Scott, pleaded guilty to her involvement in the case in February.
Serafini will remain in custody while he awaits sentencing. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.Â
A left-hander, Serafini was drafted in 1992 by the Minnesota Twins. He also played for the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies.
JULY 10, 2025:
Prosecutors and defense attorneys have rested in the trial of Daniel Serafini, and the jury has started deliberating.
Serafini is on trial in Placer County for the death of Robert Spohr and the attempted murder of Wendy Wood in Homewood in 2021.
The jury will return to deliberations on Friday at 8:30 a.m.
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APRIL 28, 2025:
Monday marked the first day of the trial for Daniel Serafini, who is accused of the death of Robert Spohr and the attempted killing of Wendy Wood in Homewood in 2021.
In court on Monday, scheduling was discussed, and the judge heard from attorneys, as well as media outlets concerning their requests for cameras in the courtroom according to information from the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
The judge plans to make a ruling on media requests on Tuesday.
Jury panels will come in to fill out questionnaires on Friday, with jury selection slated to start on May 13.
Attorneys will next be in court on May 8 to make arguments on motions.
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FEBRUARY 19, 2025:
One of the two people accused of killing a 70-year-old man in Homewood has pleaded guilty in the case.Â
Samantha Scott pleaded guilty last week in the case and was released. She will be sentenced at a later date.
Her alleged co-conspirator, Daniel Serafini is still expected to go on trial next month.
The Placer County District Attorney's Office says in a statement, "...Since the co-defendant's case is set for jury trial, we will not be commenting further so as to protect the integrity of the ongoing proceedings."Â
The duo are also accused of the attempted killing of Wendy Wood in Homewood.
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JUNE 5, 2024
The two people accused of a homicide in South Lake Tahoe three years ago are scheduled to go to trial next March.
Daniel Serafini and Samantha Scott are facing charges for their alleged role in the death of 70-year-old Robert Spohr and the attempted killing of Wendy Wood in Homewood.
MAY 9, 2024:
The two suspects accused of killing a 70-year old man at his Lake Tahoe home in 2021 are scheduled to be back in court on June 3.
The preliminary hearing was held this week.
The judge found sufficient evidence to hold them.Â
According to our CBS Sacramento affiliate, Erin Spohr testified Wednesday where her husband is suspected of murdering her father.
"I would never think she or my husband would have anything to do with this."
Erin who got emotional on the witness stand told prosecution she never thought to ask her husband Daniel Serafini, or former nanny and friend Samantha Scott, where they were the night her father was killed.
The pair are now both in custody.
Prosecutors asked Erin what her relationship was like with her parents. “Complex. We had our highs of highs and lows of lows."
The point of tension was over her children, who are now three and six-years-old. Erin said that her parents would get upset that she had to use formula instead of milk for her youngest. She added that her mom sometimes threatened to stop paying for her grandkid's daycare.
On the stand, Erin stated, "my mom would do anything for my children. But at times she would get frustrated and throw things out there like that."
When asked if her husband knew about the sometimes heated conservations she stated, "I'm his wife. It would hurt him that I was hurt."
But would that hurt cause a killing? Erin said no, despite money troubles the couple talked about during a reality show years before the killing.
"We still don’t understand the motive of the killer and at the end of the day he came here to kill my mom and dad."
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2023
The woman accused of killing a man in Placer County in 2021 pleaded not guilty in court on Monday.
33-year-old Samantha Scott was extradited from Las Vegas on Thursday.Â
Scott arrived by plane to face charges in connection with the death of 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr and the alleged attempted murder of 68-year-old Wendy Wood, in June 2021.Â
The first suspect, Daniel Serafini pleaded not guilty to all charges, earlier this week. He was arrested last month in Winnemucca - the same day as Scott, in Las Vegas.Â
Serafini's next court date is November 27th.
Update, October 31:
North Lake Tahoe homicide suspect Daniel Serafini entered a plea of not guilty to all charges against him during a court appearance Tuesday.
His next hearing is scheduled for November 27th at 1 p.m. at the Santucci Justice Center according to a post from the Placer County Sheriff's Office on X.
The sheriff’s office is still awaiting the extradition of Samantha Scott from Nevada.
Update, October 27th
On Friday, a North Lake Tahoe homicide suspect was extradited from Humboldt County, Nevada.
Placer County Sheriff Transportation Unit deputies traveled to Humboldt County to pick up 49-year-old Daniel Serafini that morning. He arrived in Placer County at 11 a.m. and was booked into the Auburn Jail shortly after his arrival.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on October 31 at 1 p.m. in Department 20 at the Santucci Justice Center.
The second suspect's extradition date has not been determined.
Original Story, October 20:
Two people were arrested Friday morning, October 20 in connection with a homicide in Homewood in June 2021.Â
Authorities said 49-year-old Danny Serafini and 33-year-old Samantha Scott were arrested Friday in Winnemucca and in Las Vegas in connection with the death of 70-year-old Robert Gary Spohr and the alleged attempted murder of 68-year-old Wendy Wood.Â
Deputies said on June 5, 2021 they received a 911 call and later found Spohr dead inside a home on the west shore of Lake Tahoe.Â
Spohr's wife, 70-year-old Wendy was also shot but later recovered from her injuries. Sadly, she died about a year later.Â
Placer County deputies led them to identify 49-year-old Daniel Serafini and 33-year-old Samantha Scott as suspects. They said all four people knew each other.
Deputies said Serafini was booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center on Friday after he was arrested by members of the Tri-County Special Response Team, Trident Task Force, Winnemucca Police Department, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Task Force, and Investigators from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said U.S. Marshals developed information that Serafini was working and living part-time in Winnemucca.Â
They said Serafini surrendered and taken into custody where he was later booked into the Humboldt County Detention Center on a no-bail warrant.
The sheriff’s office is now awaiting Serafini’s and Scott’s extradition from Nevada into Placer County.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
