FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — A 26-year-old man is on trial for the fatal stabbing of his former classmate near his home in Foothill Ranch. Samuel Lincoln Woodward, of Newport Beach, stands accused of murdering 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein in 2018.
Prosecutors allege that Woodward, who has ties to a white supremacist organization, targeted Bernstein because he was gay. While Woodward’s attorney does not dispute his client’s involvement in the killing, he asserts that it was not motivated by neo-Nazi beliefs or hatred towards gay individuals. Instead, the defense argues that Woodward struggled with undiagnosed autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and conflicting sexuality.
The trial, which comes six years after the incident, began with opening statements presenting contrasting perspectives on the case. Woodward faces a murder charge with enhancements for a hate crime and the use of a deadly weapon, potentially leading to life imprisonment without parole upon conviction.
Bernstein’s disappearance on January 3, 2018, prompted an investigation that ultimately led to the discovery of his body in a shallow grave at Borrego Park. The victim, who was Jewish, had been stabbed 28 times, indicating a struggle for his life. Despite Woodward’s initial claims of innocence and efforts to assist in the search, evidence including DNA on various items linked him to the crime scene.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors have delved into Woodward’s online activities, highlighting his association with white supremacist groups and his history of catfishing gay men for his own amusement. Additionally, entries from Woodward’s diary and exchanges between him and Bernstein have been presented as evidence of his mindset leading up to the killing.
As the trial progresses, Woodward’s defense aims to provide insights into his client’s mental health struggles and personal challenges, suggesting a more complex narrative behind the tragic event. The case raises questions about the intersection of mental health issues, extremist ideologies, and personal relationships, shedding light on the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of unchecked prejudices.