TL/DR –
Samuel Woodward has been convicted of first-degree murder and committing a hate crime in the 2018 killing of his former high school classmate Blaze Bernstein. Woodward, who was linked to anti-gay and anti-Semitic groups, stabbed 19-year-old Bernstein repeatedly and left his body in a shallow grave. Woodward’s defense argued he did not plan the murder, stating he was conflicted by his own sexuality and had autism, but the prosecution stated Woodward targeted gay men online.
Orange County Man Convicted of Hate Crime Murder
An Orange County man, Samuel Woodward, was found guilty of first-degree murder and a hate crime on Wednesday. The charges stemmed from the 2018 stabbing death of his former high school classmate, Blaze Bernstein, a gay man found dead in a shallow grave at Lake Forest’s Borrego park.
The courtroom echoed with cheers when the hate crime verdict was announced, followed by an immediate call for quiet. “Justice is served… this despicable human who murdered our son will no longer be a threat to the public,” said Jeanne Pepper Bernstein, mother of the deceased, during a news conference after the verdict.
Woodward displayed no visible reaction to the verdict. The jury reached its decision after a single day of deliberations.
The trial evidence suggested that Woodward, a member of an anti-gay and anti-Semitic group, lured gay men online before abruptly severing communication. Woodward’s sentencing enhancements included a hate crime and using a deadly weapon, and he could face life imprisonment without parole.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker told jurors, “The defendant… killed Blaze Bernstein because he was gay.” However, Woodward’s defense argued that he didn’t hate Bernstein and didn’t intend to kill him. They claimed that Woodward, conflicted about his own sexuality, had acted out of rage.
The defense further argued that Woodward’s undiagnosed autism made him susceptible to recruitment by white supremacist groups. They also claimed he had an ‘obsession’ with gay men and gay pornography.
During the trial, Woodward admitted to connecting with Bernstein on a dating app. He claimed he stabbed Bernstein in a state of “mortal terror,” believing Bernstein was recording and sharing their encounter. The trial saw numerous witnesses, including relatives, friends, and authorities.
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