A take a look at the 2018 disappearance of Blaze Bernstein and the proof that led to Sam Woodward‘s arrest and conviction within the hate crime homicide.
Jan. 2, 2018
Bernstein household
Blaze, a 19-year-old Ivy League scholar, was spending the vacations visiting household in Orange County, California, when he went lacking the night time of Jan. 2, 2018.
Jan. 3, 2018
CBS Newws 
After Blaze failed to point out as much as a dentist appointment and did not reply to texts and calls, his dad and mom, Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein, checked his room. They did not discover Blaze however discovered his pockets, keys and glasses nonetheless on the home.
They searched Blaze’s pc and social media accounts for clues. On Blaze’s Snapchat, they discovered messages from Sam Woodward, who had been Blaze’s highschool classmate. The messaging confirmed that the night time Blaze went lacking, he had despatched his deal with to Woodward. Gideon Bernstein reached out to Woodward, who claimed he had picked Blaze up and pushed to native Borrego Park. Woodward mentioned that Blaze then walked off at nighttime to satisfy one other buddy.
“I did not see the place he went,” Woodward informed Gideon Bernstein. “I searched throughout for him … I could not discover him wherever.”
After that decision, the nervous Bernsteins filed a lacking individual’s report with police.
Jan. 6, 2018
CBS Los Angeles 
Legislation enforcement repeatedly combed Borrego Park. By this level, information of Blaze’s disappearance had already unfold throughout Orange County.
The Bernstein household, nonetheless hoping for excellent news, held a press convention, asking the general public to maintain on the lookout for their son.
Jan. 9, 2018
Orange County Courtroom 
After days of looking out, investigators discovered Blaze buried in a shallow grave in Borrego Park after heavy rains helped uncover his physique. He had been stabbed greater than 20 occasions. Blaze’s broken telephone (pictured) was additionally present in that grave.
Investigators believed Woodward was the final individual to see Blaze earlier than he disappeared. Woodward had informed them what he informed the Bernsteins — that he met up with Blaze, who then walked off within the park. Investigators served a search warrant at Woodward’s house.
Jan. 12, 2018
Orange County Sheriff’s Division 
Sam Woodward was arrested on Jan. 12, 2018.
Jan. 17, 2018
Woodward was charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement of private use of a knife.
Later in 2018, then-Orange County District Legal professional Tony Rackauckas informed “48 Hours” that investigators had discovered a knife in Woodward’s house.
“The knife had blood on it,” Rackauckas mentioned. “Blaze Bernstein’s blood on the knife.”
Orange County Sheriff’s Division 
He additionally mentioned that they had discovered blood in Woodward’s automobile.
“The blood on the headliner belonged to each Sam Woodward and Blaze Bernstein,” Rackauckas informed “48 Hours” correspondent Tracy Smith.
Feb. 2, 2018
Woodward was arraigned and pleaded not responsible.
Aug. 2, 2018
The Orange County District Legal professional’s Workplace added a hate crime enhancement to Sam Woodward’s preliminary fees.
CBS Los Angeles 
Prosecutors claimed Woodward killed Blaze with premeditation as a result of Blaze was homosexual. If convicted, Woodward now might face life in jail with out the potential of parole. Authorities say after inspecting Woodward’s telephone, laptop computer and social media accounts, they discovered proof of Woodward’s involvement in Atomwaffen, a neo-Nazi terrorist group.
April 9, 2024
Pool 
Within the opening statements of his trial, the prosecution informed the jury that Woodward killed Blaze as a result of he was homosexual. Protection Legal professional Ken Morrison conceded that Woodward killed Blaze however argued that the homicide was not premeditated and as a substitute was a case of voluntary manslaughter. He argued that Blaze did one thing that provoked Woodward to kill him and informed the jury Woodward would testify about what occurred the night time Blaze was killed.
April 10, 2024
Pool 
“I do know that loads of issues will likely be mentioned which are in all probability unfaithful,” Jeanne Pepper informed “48 Hours.” “As a result of that is what occurs in a felony trial…I’ve a chance to defend Blaze and that is what I’ll do.”
Blaze Bernstein’s dad and mom have been amongst 23 witnesses who testified for the prosecution.
June 20, 2024
Pool 
When it was the protection’s flip, Woodward informed the jury that on the night time he killed Blaze, Woodward had smoked a joint. He mentioned that Blaze had been taunting him and threatened to out his sexuality. Woodward accused Blaze of sexual assault. There isn’t a proof of this.
Woodward testified that he then stabbed Blaze to demise. He mentioned that he routinely carried a knife with him since his days as a Boy Scout.
July 3, 2024
CBS Los Angeles 
The jury discovered Sam Woodward responsible of first-degree homicide with the hate crime enhancement.
“He faces life with out risk of parole,” Orange County Senior Deputy District Legal professional Jennifer Walker mentioned after the responsible verdict. “And that is what we’ll be asking for.”
Nov. 15, 2024
Sam Woodward was sentenced to life in jail with out the potential of parole.
Blaze’s Legacy
KCBS 
After their son’s homicide, Blaze’s dad and mom have been decided to not let hate win. To honor their son, they began a motion referred to as “BlazeItForward” inspiring acts of kindness.
At Borrego Park, the place Blaze was tragically killed, there’s now a tribute to Blaze. To today, folks from all around the world proceed to depart stones in his reminiscence.
