Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Dan Serafini has broken his silence after being convicted of murder in February. Serafini was previously charged with the 2021 homicide of his father-in-law and the attempted murder of his mother-in-law. Although the woman initially survived her injuries, she ultimately died by suicide a year later.
Although no suspects were charged for over two years, Lake Tahoe-area police eventually compiled enough evidence to charge Serafini. Authorities obtained video of a male wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a backpack around the victims’ home. Along with Serafini, the family’s former nanny, Samantha Scott, was also arrested. Scott eventually pleaded guilty to being an accessory in the shootings.
The former Chicago Cub was ultimately found guilty of the crimes in July 2025. After a failed attempt to earn a new trial, Serafini was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in February. Nearly two months later, he has now opened up about the situation with Dateline’s Keith Morrison.
In the interview, Serafini maintained that he is innocent and even hinted that he was convicted because the jury did not like him. “Circumstantial case,” claimed the former pitcher. “And I believe the circumstantial stuff that they had was just making up a story. They had no proof, no anything.”
“[The jury] just didn’t like me,” continued Serafini. “They didn’t like my lifestyle. They didn’t like, uh, the way I acted in court, which I didn’t act anyway. So, I was sat there like I was supposed to because my lawyers told me to. Don’t react. Don’t respond. Sit there like nothing is bothering you. And I did. And I got crucified for it.”
Dan Serafini Played One Unsuccessful Season With the Chicago Cubs
GettyDan Serafini made a career-high 42 appearances with the Chicago Cubs in 1999.
Before shooting his in-laws, Serafini was a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Twins in 1992. The pitcher was selected three spots after the Pittsburgh Pirates picked three-time All-Star Jason Kendall and two spots ahead of Miami Marlins legend Charles Johnson. Before making his Major League Baseball debut, Baseball America ranked Serafini as the 76th-best prospect in the sport.
After being used somewhat sparingly during three years in Minnesota, the pitcher was picked up by the Chicago Cubs. Serafini only played one season with the North Siders, but made 42 total appearances during the 1999 campaign. He finished the year with a 6.93 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, and just 17 strikeouts in 62 total innings.
Pitcher Squandered Significant MLB Earnings
Serafini eventually went on to play for four other National League teams after leaving the Chicago Cubs. Major League Baseball suspended the pitcher for 50 games in 2007 after he tested positive for a banned substance. In total, Serafini registered a 6.04 ERA in 104 MLB games.
After his playing days, Serafini eventually opened a bar called The Oak Tavern in Sparks, Nevada. The establishment was previously featured on the reality TV show Bar Rescue back in 2015. Despite earning more than $14 million during his baseball career, the pitcher had to borrow money from his parents to open the bar.
Authorities believe Serafini’s financial woes were the motive behind the aforementioned shootings. According to prosecutors, the pitcher attacked his in-laws to help receive a substantial inheritance.
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