California man sentenced to life for hate crime murder of gay student

During the trial, prosecutors revealed that Woodward was linked to Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi extremist group, and had targeted cheery men online.

“A mother’s agony”

The victim’s mother, Jeanne Pepper, delivered an affectional connection during the sentencing. “No parent should person to hide her child… My bosom was truthful breached and yet incapable to judge the world that helium was nary longer portion of our world,” she said. She described learning of her son’s horrific decease arsenic “the azygous worst, astir achy thing” successful her life, arsenic reported by BBC.

Gideon Bernstein and Jeanne Pepper Bernstein, parents of Blaze Bernstein, talk during a property league aft Samuel Woodward was sentenced to beingness without parole astatine Orange County Superior Court connected Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, successful Santa Ana, Calif., for the fatal stabbing of his erstwhile classmate, Blaze Bernstein, successful Jan. 2018. (AP)

Woodward caused disruptions during the sentencing hearing, refusing to permission his compartment initially and aboriginal storming retired of the courtroom during unfortunate interaction statements.

A delayed justice

The proceedings was delayed for years owed to questions surrounding Woodward’s intelligence health. In precocious 2022, helium was recovered competent to basal trial. Defence attorneys argued that Woodward, who they said had undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, struggled with idiosyncratic relationships and was confused astir his sexuality, having grown up successful a Catholic location captious of homosexuality.

However, prosecutors rejected these claims, pointing to grounds of premeditation and hate. Police discovered DNA grounds linking Woodward to the crime, arsenic good arsenic disturbing items astatine his home, including a bloodstained knife, a disguise associated with Atomwaffen, and a diary filled with anti-gay and antisemitic material.

The fatal encounter

Bernstein, a University of Pennsylvania student, had been visiting household successful Southern California during wintertime interruption erstwhile helium reconnected with Woodward, a erstwhile precocious schoolhouse classmate, via a dating app. They arranged to conscionable done Snapchat, but the nighttime turned convulsive erstwhile Bernstein kissed Woodward.

Jeanne Pepper, left, parent of Blaze Bernstein, wipes distant tears arsenic she gives a unfortunate interaction connection successful tribunal successful Santa Ana, Calif., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, anterior to sentencing of Samuel Woodward, who was convicted of a hatred transgression execution for the sidesplitting of erstwhile classmate Blaze Bernstein. Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker stands astatine right. (AP)

According to police, Woodward became enraged and stabbed Bernstein repeatedly, allegedly implicit fears that Bernstein had taken a compromising photograph. Bernstein’s parents raised the alarm the adjacent time aft helium missed a dentist assignment and failed to respond to calls.

“This senseless, hate-driven enactment has torn our household apart,” Bernstein’s parents said successful a connection pursuing the sentencing. Woodward’s defence lawyer has said helium plans to entreaty the conviction.

(with inputs from BBC)