GUILTY CA - Blaze Bernstein, 19, Lake Forest, 2 Jan 2018 #8 *Arrest*

[LinasK]

I'll admit I was only half-paying attention to the episode, but it seemed like it really glossed over the last text messages and why they weren't part of the trial... especially for an episode titled "The Last Text."

Did I miss something?

It's click-bait sensationalism. ABC/ his defense team are trying to get you to watch thinking that Blaze must have done something bad like taking illicit pictures of Sam without his consent to out him. My cousin's killer used a similar defense- that he too fell asleep to my cousin making a pass at him without his consent- and that he's really not gay- to justify killing him. In both cases, this argument failed. There were no pictures like that on Blaze's phone. Most likely Woodward sent the text from Blaze's phone after he killed Blaze. And he's not the first killer to do that either...

 

[Luna20]

In a shocking twist, Woodward's defense attorney conceded that his client killed Blaze, but said that it was not a premeditated hate crime. Woodward's attorney claimed he joined the extremist group because of isolation and loneliness.

The defense said that Woodward himself was struggling with his sexuality, although Woodward denied that characterization when he took the stand to testify in his own defense. Woodward claimed that he fell asleep while at the park with Blaze and alleged that he awoke to discover Blaze photographing or video recording their encounter with his cellphone.

Woodward claimed that he was horrified at the idea that Blaze might publicly share a compromising picture of him and that this alleged discovery provoked him to stab Blaze repeatedly. However, investigators from the Orange County Sheriff's Department told "20/20" that they found no photographs or videos from that night on Blaze’s phone.

At the conclusion of the trial, Jeanne Pepper Bernstein made a statement to the assembled media.

"We are thrilled with the verdict, which holds Samuel Woodward accountable for the brutal, violent, painful murder of our son," she said, in part. "Justice has been served."

Murdered Ivy League student's family reflects upon the days after his disappearance

"20/20" explores the murder of Blaze Bernstein, who was killed by former classmate Sam Woodward in 2018.

abcnews.go.com

SW attorney is delusional. I’m surprised the judge let him ramble on. At times he looked like he was having fun.

To me it seems like he was foolishly trying to impress the judge and everyone in the court room.

Where was he going with all of that banter? Was it for the judge to go easier on SW? He was a total clown.

Were SW parents there?

 

[Deleted member 341731]

After I saw your post I was thinking of watching it but maybe won't now. I totally think this is what happened as well.
RIP Blaze. You were a good person and deserved to live your best life and I'm so sorry you couldn't because you met evil.

I would still recommend you watch it if there are any scenarios you were imagining in your head. For example, they have footage of SW being interviewed at the station when he was asked how he managed to get the cuts on his hands. They also have footage of Blaze and SW walking into Borrego Park. I definitely think it's worth a watch for anyone who has followed the entirety of the case. It's currenlty available on Hulu, just search "20/20" and it's the lastest episode called "The Last Text". Season 47, Episode 12.

 

[Panniniclaus]

I wonder how Sam will be viewed in prison, being a member of Atomwaffen? I can't see that getting him any "cred" on the inside.

 

[PrairieWind]

I wonder how Sam will be viewed in prison, being a member of Atomwaffen? I can't see that getting him any "cred" on the inside.

White supremacist gangs are in every prison so I assume he will align with them for protection.

 

[Luna20]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>

I saw his parents at the very beginning when they appeared in court. His mother is a counselor. I don’t recall what his father does.

Sam has looked that way for the last 5 years. I don’t know the motivation for it but I can speculate.

1) channeling Charles Manson
2) to gain sympathy
3) to hide behind his hair to mentally separate himself from a murderer
4) protest/rebellion
5) to be dramatic and shocking for fame ‘can you believe how Sam looks, he looks like he has been radicalized’
6) attempt to erase the harsh nazi look of the violent group he was associated and publicly photographed with (predominantly closely buzzed or skinheads). Completely 2 different looks-opposite.

To me, all of the above points to reprogramming his violent actions. Impossible, it’s done and it can’t be undone.

 

[MollyHarps]

The majority of this case happened prior to me joining websleuths - but it’s a case I paid close attention to in the media etc.

I saw the thread pop up a few weeks back so I’ve spent time going through reading everyones opinions on the case.

Firstly, RIP Blaze my thoughts go out to your parents who have been so dignified in their long fight for justice.

One thing with this case that I just can’t build a concrete opinion on is
1) Whether Sam was actually gay
Or
2) He was using these apps to get an unsuspecting victim and murder them.

I’m guessing we will never know - but at least justice is served and he can never hurt anybody again.

 

[Panniniclaus]

The majority of this case happened prior to me joining websleuths - but it’s a case I paid close attention to in the media etc.

I saw the thread pop up a few weeks back so I’ve spent time going through reading everyones opinions on the case.

Firstly, RIP Blaze my thoughts go out to your parents who have been so dignified in their long fight for justice.

One thing with this case that I just can’t build a concrete opinion on is
1) Whether Sam was actually gay
Or
2) He was using these apps to get an unsuspecting victim and murder them.

I’m guessing we will never know - but at least justice is served and he can never hurt anybody again.

It feels like he was conflicted about his sexuality.. Whatever he was (bisexual, homosexual) he didn't much like it and one way to deal with that is to join a group of people that hate. When he joins Atomwaffen, they get together and preach hate of many things..He forms his opinions there, jews are bad, homosexuals bad etc. Blaze is a prime target... Successful Ivy league student from an excellent family (sounds like Sam's family was not as supportive) Jewish and homosexual.. All things that would have bothered the Atomwaffen.
So he used the APP to get his killing started and there may have been more if he didn't get arrested for this one.

I really hope he suffers tremendously in prison and it is well reported so the rest of this deplorable group see what the consequences are.