Jury Convicts Blaze Bernstein’s Killer of Murder and Hate Crime Against LGBTQ+ Community – LGBTQ Nation

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.

The courtroom erupted in cheers as Woodward’s conviction was announced.

Samuel Woodward (left) was arrested on suspicion of homicide in the death of Blaze Bernstein (right).
Photo: Orange County Sheriff’s Department

During the three-week trial, Samuel Woodward, convicted of murdering gay, Jewish student Blaze Bernstein, was found guilty of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement. Despite attempts by Woodward’s attorney to portray the killing as a spontaneous, irrational act, the jury remained unconvinced. The hate crime verdict prompted audible cheers throughout the courtroom, which the judge had to quiet down.

Woodward is scheduled to be sentenced to life in prison without parole on October 24th.

Bernstein’s family rejoiced at the verdict.

“This ruling brings us great relief, knowing that justice has been served and this dangerous individual who took our son’s life will no longer pose a threat to anyone else. We can now move forward knowing that he can’t hurt anyone else,” said Blaze’s mother, Jeanne Pepper Bernstein, in an interview with NBC News Los Angeles.

In a statement, Blaze’s family expressed their sentiments: “No verdict can bring Blaze back. He was an exceptional human being—a humanitarian with so much potential ahead. We will forever miss his wit, kindness, intelligence, and the myriad talents he possessed as a scientist, artist, writer, chef, and son. There will never be another like him, and his potential will forever remain unrealized and unshared.”

Woodward’s attorney, Ken Morrison, acknowledged his client’s guilt in an interview with ABC News: “I admitted from the outset that my client was guilty of a serious, violent homicide. However, it’s important to recognize that there are different degrees and types of homicide.”

Blaze was murdered by Woodward during Blaze’s visit to California. The two had been classmates and had agreed to meet up. During their conversation at a park, Woodward attacked Blaze, fatally stabbing him 28 times in the darkness.

“After killing Bernstein, burying his body, and cleaning up the scene, Woodward texted a friend, ‘Hey man, life is good,’” revealed the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

During the trial, Woodward described feeling overwhelming anger, which led to the relentless stabbing. When asked by his defense attorney how many times he had stabbed Bernstein, Woodward replied, “No.”

Discrepancies emerged in Woodward’s testimony during the trial compared to statements he made in 2018 shortly after the crime. Initially, he claimed Blaze had briefly left and returned, attempting to kiss Woodward, which supposedly triggered the attack. In his trial testimony, however, Woodward alleged Bernstein had groped him while intoxicated and threatened to distribute compromising photos online.

No evidence supported Woodward’s claims. Conversely, evidence from both men’s phones contradicted his account.

Woodward failed to mention during his testimony that he had previously relocated to Texas to train with the neo-Nazi hate group, Atomwaffen Division. This group advocates for violent, militia-style actions targeting minorities, including LGBTQ+ individuals.

At the time of the murder, Woodward possessed over 100 pieces of extremist content on his phone, laptop, and social media accounts, including racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic material.

In the months leading up to the murder, Woodward had sent violent messages on Grindr, posing as “gay curious” before using derogatory language and advocating violence and death against gay men. Two weeks before the murder, he posted a photo of a bloody knife on Snapchat with the caption, “Texting is boring, but murder isn’t.”

“Hate has no place in Orange County,” emphasized District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Woodward stands as a stark reminder of our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable members of society from violence fueled by hatred and fear, not as a figure to be admired by other hate groups.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker, speaking to ABC News, expressed relief for the Bernsteins: “I’m incredibly happy for the Bernsteins because this has been an agonizing process. Woodward had his bags packed, was already in contact with Atomwaffen members about leaving the area, and thought he could get away with it. It’s only by the grace of God that the rain came and led to the discovery of Bernstein’s body.”

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