Found Deceased CA - Blaze Bernstein, 19, Lake Forest, 2 Jan 2018 #7 *Arrest*

[FindHG]

They talk about the neo nazi group that Woodward belonged to on the Frontline that aired on Wednesday. You can watch the episode online

Thank you, Tee7077, yes. Here is the transcript.

Documenting Hate: Charlottesville - Transcript

Watch here:
Documenting Hate: Charlottesville

 

[MorbidGateway]

Did the killer say that he killed him because the guy tried to kiss him? I think I read that somewhere. If anyone knows.

 

[Gooddeeds]

Did the killer say that he killed him because the guy tried to kiss him? I think I read that somewhere. If anyone knows.

I recall reading that here as well, don’t know where or who...

 

[PetDetective]

Did the killer say that he killed him because the guy tried to kiss him? I think I read that somewhere. If anyone knows.

I believe you are referring to this:

“According to the affidavit, Woodward told authorities that the kiss was unwanted and that he pushed Bernstein away, adding that he wanted to call him a "."”
Report links Newport man charged in Blaze Bernstein's slaying to neo-Nazi group

 

[bflocket]

Unfortunately, by prosecuting this as a hate crime the door is now wide open for the defense to get the victims actions into evidence. What actions? The fact that the victim and his killer had relations of a sexual nature months before the murder (the fact that the killer is at least bisexual puts a monkey wrench in the whole hate crime thing).

Did Woodward kill him because of hatred toward gays? Or did he kill him to keep his own gayness a secret?

I think it's the latter. Woodward's hatred toward Bernstein was fueled by his own self-hatred. I wonder how that would play out in court.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, August 22nd:
*Preliminary Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018; found Jan. 9, 2018) – Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20) – arrested & charged (1/17/18) with 1 count of felony murder & sentencing enhancement: personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty; $5M bail.
2/2/18 update: Plead not guilty; Judge set bail at $5M with conditions: GPS surveillance, can't leave State, remains inside house 10:30pm-5am, surrender passport and protective order to stay away from Bernsteins. Postponed from 3/2/18 & 6/14/18.
8/2/18 Update: O.C. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said during a Thursday press conference that a hate crime allegation has been added against 21-year-old Samuel Woodward, who was charged with murder earlier this year. Adding the hate crime allegation means Woodward, who was already facing 26 years to life in prison, could now face life in prison without the possibility of parole. "We will prove that Woodward killed Blaze because Blaze was gay," Rackauckas said.

 

[borndem]

Did Woodward kill him because of hatred toward gays? Or did he kill him to keep his own gayness a secret?

I think it's the latter. Woodward's hatred toward Bernstein was fueled by his own self-hatred. I wonder how that would play out in court.

On the one hand, if the prosecution beats the self-hate drum on Woodward's part too much (how much is too much??), and that it may have led to the murder, it could bring a bit of pity for Woodward. All defense needs is that one juror... Some people are quite uncomfortable about homosexuality, and feel that it could be a choice for the individual. I hope the defense does not try to blame Bernstein for any of it. IMO, this will be a tuff one to defend. SMH.

OTOH, it could make me think the crime was indeed a crime of hate. If the proof of murder was there (and I certainly think it will be shown in court), I would not hesitate to agree that the murder was a hate crime if the prosecution presents a good argument.

 

[Niner]

Any news on the hearing from yesterday? I was asleep when it happened - 10 hours ahead here...

TIA!

 

[Mica]

Blaze Bernstein murder case: Attorney for Samuel Woodward denies hate-crime allegation, says his client has a ‘serious mental disorder’ – Orange County Register

A man charged with killing his former high-school classmate denied a hate-crime allegation Wednesday, with his attorney saying that he suffers from a “serious mental disorder.”

Less than a month after Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas alleged that Samuel Lincoln Woodward killed Blaze Bernstein because Bernstein was gay, Woodward appeared in a Newport Beach courtroom for a brief hearing.

Through his attorney, Woodward, 21, denied the added hate-crime enhancement. A preliminary hearing, where a judge will decide if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial, was delayed until Sept. 4.

more at link....

 

[YESorNO]

The Man Accused Of Killing His Gay Classmate Was Sexually 'Confused,' Attorney Says
Samuel Woodward, 21, is accused of killing 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein because he was gay.

August 22, 2018

"A 21-year-old California man accused of killing his gay former classmate struggled with his own sexuality and autism spectrum disorder, which caused him to fall in with an online group of white supremacists, his attorney said Wednesday.

Samuel Woodward, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation in the death of 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein. If he’s convicted, Woodward could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

After reviewing Woodward’s computer and presence on social media, prosecutors said they found images and messages that were anti-Semitic, misogynistic, racist, and anti-government. They believe Bernstein was killed because he was gay....

On Wednesday, a preliminary hearing in the case was postponed because the defense team is continuing to review evidence obtained from Woodward’s phone and computer....

In court on Wednesday, Woodward appeared in chains and handcuffs and chatted with his attorney about the ride over from jail...."

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/articl...cused-of-killing-his-gay-former-classmate-was

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Niner]

Pretrial moved to Sept. 4th.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 4th:
*Preliminary Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018; found Jan. 9, 2018) – Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20) – arrested & charged (1/17/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty; $5M bail. Could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
2/2/18 update: Plead not guilty; Judge set bail at $5M with conditions: GPS surveillance, can't leave State, remains inside house 10:30pm-5am, surrender passport and protective order to stay away from Bernsteins. Postponed from 3/2/18 & 6/14/18.
8/2/18 Update: O.C. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said during a Thursday press conference that a hate crime allegation has been added against 21-year-old Samuel Woodward, who was charged with murder earlier this year. Adding the hate crime allegation means Woodward, who was already facing 26 years to life in prison, could now face life in prison without the possibility of parole. "We will prove that Woodward killed Blaze because Blaze was gay," Rackauckas said.
8/22/18 Update: Woodward denies hate-crime allegations; prelim hearing postponed to Sept. 4.

 

[cybervampira]

The Latest: Evidence presented in alleged anti-gay killing - 9 & 10 News

An investigator has testified that a California man charged with killing a gay University of Pennsylvania student had troves of anti-gay, anti-Semitic and white hate group materials on his phone.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Craig Goldsmith testified Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court that Samuel Woodward had more than 100 different materials related to the violent hate group Atomwaffen. The group’s insignia was the wallpaper on his phone.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Man accused of killing Blaze Bernstein to stand trial, judge orders

His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.

 

[Niner]

Monday, Sept. 17th:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018; found Jan. 9, 2018) – Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20) – arrested & charged (1/17/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty; $5M bail.
Could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
2/2/18 update: Plead not guilty; Judge set bail at $5M with conditions: GPS surveillance, can't leave State, remains inside house 10:30pm-5am, surrender passport and protective order to stay away from Bernsteins. Postponed from 3/2/18 & 6/14/18.
8/2/18 Update: O.C. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said during a Thursday press conference that a hate crime allegation has been added against 21-year-old Samuel Woodward, who was charged with murder earlier this year. Adding the hate crime allegation means Woodward, who was already facing 26 years to life in prison, could now face life in prison without the possibility of parole. "We will prove that Woodward killed Blaze because Blaze was gay," Rackauckas said.
8/22/18 Update: Woodward denies hate-crime allegations; prelim hearing postponed to Sept. 4.
9/4/18 Update: An Orange County judge ruled Tuesday that there's enough evidence to try 21-year-old Samuel Woodward of Newport Beach for the January stabbing death of Blaze Bernstein. Next hearing is 9/17.

 

[artiichoke]

9/17 - bail set at 5 million. Arraignment hearing postponed until 11/9, Woodward requested a public defender.

Link to article: Blaze Bernstein murder case: Samuel Woodward's bail set at $5M

 

[artiichoke]

9/17 - bail set at 5 million. Arraignment hearing postponed until 11/9, Woodward requested a public defender.

Link to article: Blaze Bernstein murder case: Samuel Woodward's bail set at $5M

 

[Niner]

Thank you for the article & update on court date artichoke!

 

[Niner]

Samuel Woodward, accused of killing former classmate Blaze Bernstein, changes lawyers – Orange County Register

Samuel Lincoln Woodward’s attorney, Ed Munoz, stepped down and Robert F. Kohler of the Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Woodward in the murder trial, Munoz said. Munoz declined comment on the reasons why Woodward got a new attorney.

 

[crhedBngr]

Thanks, Niner and Artichoke!