Samuel Woodward Convicted of Killing Gay College Student in Act of Hate
Samuel Woodward, a 27-year-old California man, is set to be sentenced Friday for the 2018 murder of Blaze Bernstein, a gay University of Pennsylvania student. Woodward’s conviction for first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement ensures a life sentence without parole, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
The Crime and the Victim
Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old gay and Jewish sophomore, went missing in January 2018 after meeting Woodward, an acquaintance from high school, at a park in Lake Forest, California. His parents became alarmed when Bernstein missed a dentist appointment and left behind his glasses and wallet.
Authorities discovered Bernstein’s body days later in a shallow grave in the same park. He had been brutally stabbed multiple times in the face and neck.
Hate-Motivated Violence
Prosecutors argued that Woodward, affiliated with the neo-Nazi extremist group Atomwaffen Division, killed Bernstein out of hate for his sexuality and religion. Investigators uncovered anti-gay and antisemitic materials, a bloodied folding knife, and a mask linked to Atomwaffen during a search of Woodward’s Newport Beach home.
In addition to targeting gay men online, Woodward maintained a journal filled with hate-fueled entries, prosecutors said.
Defense Argues Mental Health and Family Background
Defense attorney Ken Morrison contended that Woodward struggled with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and confusion about his sexuality. Morrison stated that Woodward’s upbringing in a conservative, devout Catholic household contributed to his internal conflicts.
During the trial, Woodward testified that he killed Bernstein after a dispute over a cellphone he feared had been used to photograph him. The defense maintained that the killing was not premeditated.
Sentencing and the Legacy of the Case
Woodward’s life sentence without parole concludes a prolonged legal battle but leaves lingering questions about the societal factors that contribute to hate-driven violence.
Blaze Bernstein’s family and the broader Southern California community have remembered him as a vibrant and promising young man whose life was tragically cut short. Bernstein’s parents have since become vocal advocates against hate crimes, urging for increased awareness and prevention measures.
