Samuel Woodward, 26, was convicted of first-degree murder and a hate crime for the 2018 stabbing death of Blaze Bernstein, a gay University of Pennsylvania student, tied to the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division.

The conviction of Woodward comes after a four-year investigation and trial that revealed his affiliation with the violent, anti-gay neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division. Woodward’s attack on Bernstein, rooted in extreme homophobic and antisemitic beliefs, has stirred significant community outrage and legal scrutiny. With the inclusion of a hate crime enhancement, Woodward faces a possible life sentence without parole, highlighting Orange County’s firm stance against hate-fueled violence.

Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, went missing while visiting his family in Lake Forest, California, during winter break in January 2018. His last known whereabouts were at a park in the area, where he had gone with Samuel Woodward. Bernstein missed a dentist appointment the following day, prompting his parents to check his room where they found his personal belongings, including his glasses, wallet, and credit cards.

Authorities launched an intensive search that lasted for nearly a week before they found Bernstein’s body in a shallow grave at a nearby park. The discovery revealed that Bernstein had been brutally stabbed multiple times in the face and neck. Initial investigations pointed to Woodward, who was the last person seen with Bernstein before he went missing.

Investigators searched Woodward’s family home in Newport Beach, finding significant evidence that linked him to the murder. Among the items discovered were a folding knife with a blood-stained blade, a black Atomwaffen mask with traces of blood, and various materials associated with anti-gay and antisemitic hate groups. These findings were critical in piecing together the motive and the brutal nature of the attack.

Prosecutor Jennifer Walker emphasized Woodward’s connection to the Atomwaffen Division, a notorious neo-Nazi extremist group known for its violent, anti-gay, and antisemitic ideology. She argued that Woodward had actively targeted gay men online and documented his hateful actions in a personal journal. The inclusion of the hate crime enhancement in his conviction underscores the role of these extremist beliefs in the murder of Blaze Bernstein.

Woodward and Bernstein previously attended the same high school in Orange County and connected via a dating app in the months before the attack. According to Woodward's testimony, the night of the murder began when he picked up Bernstein and took him to a nearby park. Woodward claimed that he repeatedly stabbed Bernstein after trying to grab a cellphone he feared had been used to photograph him. Authorities also highlighted Woodward's affiliation with the violent, anti-gay, neo-Nazi extremist group known as Atomwaffen Division, and the murder was charged with a hate crime enhancement.

Defense attorney Ken Morrison argued that Woodward did not harbor premeditated intent to kill Bernstein nor any specific hatred, aiming for a lesser charge such as second-degree murder or manslaughter. Morrison pointed to Woodward’s personal struggles, including undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and confusion about his sexuality, compounded by growing up in a conservative Catholic family critical of homosexuality. Despite these arguments, the jury found Woodward guilty of first-degree murder and the hate crime enhancement.

The trial faced delays spanning multiple years, largely due to questions regarding Woodward’s mental competence and frequent changes in his defense attorneys. Ultimately, Woodward was deemed fit to stand trial in late 2022, allowing the judicial process to proceed. The drawn-out case kept the Bernstein family and related community members in a prolonged state of distress.

County District Attorney Todd Spitzer made a statement following the conviction, reiterating the community's commitment to combating hate crimes and ensuring justice for victims like Blaze Bernstein. He stated that hate and violence would never be tolerated in Orange County, reflecting the solemn commitment of local law enforcement and legal authorities to uphold this principle.

Woodward faces a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole due to the severity of the charges and the hate crime enhancement. His attorney has announced plans to appeal the conviction following sentencing, citing alleged judicial errors that he believes prevented jurors from considering critical evidence necessary for a fair trial.

The conviction of Samuel Woodward brings a tragic chapter to a close but serves as a reminder of the pervasive threats posed by hate-driven violence. As Woodward awaits sentencing, the Bernstein family and the broader community continue to grapple with an irreplaceable loss marked by a young life taken far too soon.