A California man, Samuel Woodward, 26, was found guilty of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement for the 2018 stabbing death of Blaze Bernstein, a gay University of Pennsylvania student. Bernstein, a college sophomore, was visiting his family in Southern California on winter break when he went missing. His body was discovered a week later in a shallow grave at a nearby park.
During the trial, it was revealed that Woodward had affiliations with a violent, anti-gay, neo-Nazi extremist group called Atomwaffen Division. The prosecutor emphasized Woodward's hate-filled motives, stating that he sought out hate rather than being influenced by it.
Woodward's attorney argued that his client did not plan to kill Bernstein and did not harbor hatred towards anyone. Despite this defense, Woodward faces a potential sentence of life without parole due to the hate crime enhancement.
Bernstein's family expressed their ongoing pain and loss, describing him as a remarkable individual with a bright future ahead. Woodward and Bernstein had attended the same high school and connected through a dating app prior to the tragic incident.
Prosecutors revealed that Woodward had a history of targeting gay men online and had shown interest in carrying out violent acts leading up to the killing. They also found incriminating evidence, including a bloodied knife and hate group materials, at Woodward's family home.
The case, which took years to go to trial, shed light on Woodward's personal struggles, including an undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and confusion about his sexuality due to his conservative upbringing.
County District Attorney Todd Spitzer emphasized that hate would not be tolerated in Orange County and hailed the verdict as a symbol of society's stance against those who terrorize vulnerable members of the community.
The tragic loss of Blaze Bernstein serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of hate-fueled violence and the importance of justice in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
