Blaze Bernstein Murder: Hate Crime Charge Added

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Orange County prosecutors said Thursday they have added a hate crime to the charges against Samuel Lincoln Woodward, 21, in the Jan. 2 murder of 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein. Woodward "killed Blaze, because Blaze was gay," but there was more to the "dark side of Woodward's thoughts" than just Blaze's sexuality, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said.

Woodward was already facing 26 years to life in prison if convicted, but the addition of a hate crime could mean life in prison without the possibility of parole.

After a detailed investigation of Woodward's laptop, cell phone and digital media, investigators from the Orange County Sheriff's Department found Woodward to be in possession of "a large number of texts and images ... spewing hate of a homophobic, misogynistic, racist, anti-semitic and anti-government nature," Rackauckas said. Those findings support the hate crime charges, according to Rackauckas.

In January, Woodward was charged with killing Bernstein, whose body was found buried in a shallow grave at a Lake Forest park in December 2017. Still, prosecutors did not immediately deem the killing a hate crime. 34th District Senator Janet Nguyen, 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Blaze Bernstein's parents all spoke regarding the charge addition.

“I have full faith in the legal process and that justice will be served in this case,” said 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett. “Intolerance based on gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation has no place in our society.”

“Many of us only came to know Blaze because of the senseless way his life was taken, but I think it is important that we focus on the contributions that he made during his life and the legacy he leaves behind,” said 34th District Senator Janet Nguyen.

Woodward and Bernstein were classmates at the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana and had reconnected through the social media platform Snapchat. Bernstein was home from college on winter break when he was slain.

Rackauckas said in January that Woodward picked up Bernstein from his parents' Lake Forest home about 11 p.m. Jan. 2, and drove him to a shopping center on Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch. Later, the two went to Borrego Park in Lake Forest, he said.

At some point, Woodward allegedly stabbed Bernstein multiple times, then buried the body in a dirt perimeter at the park.

A search warrant affidavit obtained by the Orange County Register in January suggested that Bernstein may have tried to kiss Woodward, who responded by killing him in an act of rage.

Rackauckas noted in January that state law does not allow prosecutors to attach a special-circumstance allegation to a murder charge in a case when a victim is targeted because they are female or gay.

Blaze's parents released a statement on behalf of their son:

“We live in a world where hate is real and the people that practice it can be hiding in your home in your child’s computer. We continue to look towards the future and what we can do to make a difference. We continue to Blazitforward for Blaze and for YOU and continuing his legacy of improving the human condition; One intentional act of kindness at a time," their statement read. "If we all started doing something about hate and about intolerance – we could change the world in a good way to prevent this type of heartache and injustice from happening again. We are grateful to the OCDA and OCSD for their continued hard work to bring us closure."

Related:

College Student Murder: What Happened To Blaze Bernstein

Blaze It Forward, Family Says: Remembering Blaze Bernstein

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Orange County District Attorney's Office Photo