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Life Sentence for Blaze Bernstein Murder

Samuel Woodward sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Blaze Bernstein; hate crime and neo-Nazi links explored.

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Israel

JusticeUs PoliticsMurderTrialSentencingHate Crime

Atomwaffen DivisionUniversity Of PennsylvaniaOrange County Public Defender's OfficeLos Angeles TimesAbc7 News

Samuel Lincoln WoodwardBlaze BernsteinJeanne PepperKen MorrisonGideon Bernstein

What was the sentence given to Samuel Lincoln Woodward?: Samuel Lincoln Woodward was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old Jewish student. Woodward was absent from the sentencing, claiming illness, and did not hear victim impact statements.
What did Blaze Bernstein's mother say in her victim impact statement?: Blaze Bernstein's mother, Jeanne Pepper, gave a powerful victim impact statement detailing the horror of her son's murder and the emotional toll it took on her family. She described the pain of discovering her son's body and the ongoing trauma.
What evidence linked Samuel Woodward to the murder of Blaze Bernstein?: DNA evidence, antisemitic and homophobic materials found on Woodward's devices, and witness testimonies linked Woodward to the crime. Bernstein's blood was found on a knife belonging to Woodward's father, though Woodward claimed to have used a different weapon.
What were the prosecution's claims regarding the motive for the murder?: Prosecutors believe Bernstein was targeted because of his sexual orientation, and evidence suggests Woodward's involvement with the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division. Woodward's attorney argued that his client's association with the group stemmed from a desire for friendship.
What were Woodward's claims regarding the events leading up to the murder?: Woodward's claims that Bernstein touched him inappropriately and threatened to out him were refuted by Bernstein's mother. Woodward pleaded not guilty to murder with a hate crime enhancement, but was ultimately found guilty.

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