Timeline: The Blaze Bernstein homicide case via NewsFlicks

A have a look at the 2018 disappearance of Blaze Bernstein and the proof that ended in Sam Woodward‘s arrest and conviction within the hate crime homicide.

Jan. 2, 2018

Blaze, a 19-year-old Ivy League scholar, used to be spending the vacations visiting circle of relatives in Orange County, California, when he went lacking the evening of Jan. 2, 2018.

Jan. 3, 2018

After Blaze failed to turn as much as a dentist appointment and did not reply to texts and calls, his oldsters, Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein, checked his room. They did not in finding Blaze however discovered his pockets, keys and glasses nonetheless on the area.

They searched Blaze’s pc and social media accounts for clues. On Blaze’s Snapchat, they discovered messages from Sam Woodward, who were Blaze’s highschool classmate. The messaging confirmed that the evening 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 fulfill some other good friend. 

“I did not see the place he went,” Woodward informed Gideon Bernstein. “I searched far and wide for him … I could not in finding him any place.”

After that decision, the anxious Bernsteins filed a lacking particular person’s record with police.

Jan. 6, 2018

Regulation enforcement many times combed Borrego Park. Via this level, information of Blaze’s disappearance had already unfold throughout Orange County.

The Bernstein circle of relatives, nonetheless hoping for excellent information, held a press convention, asking the general public to stay in search of their son.

Jan. 9, 2018

After days of looking, investigators discovered Blaze buried in a shallow grave in Borrego Park after heavy rains helped discover his frame. He were stabbed greater than 20 occasions. Blaze’s broken telephone (pictured) used to be additionally present in that grave.

Investigators believed Woodward used to be the remaining particular person to look 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 seek warrant at Woodward’s house. 

Jan. 12, 2018

Sam Woodward used to be arrested on Jan. 12, 2018. 

Jan. 17, 2018

Woodward used to be charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement of private use of a knife.

Later in 2018, then-Orange County District Lawyer 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 at the knife.”

He additionally mentioned that they had discovered blood in Woodward’s automobile. 

“The blood at the headliner belonged to each Sam Woodward and Blaze Bernstein,” Rackauckas informed “48 Hours” correspondent Tracy Smith.

Feb. 2, 2018

 Woodward used to be arraigned and pleaded now not accountable.    

Aug. 2, 2018

The Orange County District Lawyer’s Place of work added a hate crime enhancement to Sam Woodward’s preliminary fees.

Prosecutors claimed Woodward killed Blaze with premeditation as a result of Blaze used to be homosexual. If convicted, Woodward now may face existence in jail with out the potential for parole. Government say after analyzing Woodward’s telephone, pc and social media accounts, they discovered proof of Woodward’s involvement in Atomwaffen, a neo-Nazi terrorist team. 

April 9, 2024

Within the opening statements of his trial, the prosecution informed the jury that Woodward killed Blaze as a result of he used to be homosexual. Protection Lawyer Ken Morrison conceded that Woodward killed Blaze however argued that the homicide used to be now not premeditated and as a substitute used to be 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 came about the evening Blaze used to be killed.

April 10, 2024

“I do know that a large number of issues can be mentioned which are almost definitely unfaithful,” Jeanne Pepper informed “48 Hours.” “As a result of that is what occurs in a prison trial…I’ve a possibility to shield Blaze and that’s the reason what I will be able to do.”

Blaze Bernstein’s oldsters had been amongst 23 witnesses who testified for the prosecution.

June 20, 2024

When it used to be the protection’s flip, Woodward informed the jury that at the evening he killed Blaze, Woodward had smoked a joint. He mentioned that Blaze were taunting him and threatened to out his sexuality. Woodward accused Blaze of sexual attack. There’s no proof of this.

Woodward testified that he then stabbed Blaze to dying. He mentioned that he mechanically carried a knife with him since his days as a Boy Scout.

July 3, 2024

The jury discovered Sam Woodward accountable of first-degree homicide with the dislike crime enhancement. 

“He faces existence with out risk of parole,” Orange County Senior Deputy District Lawyer Jennifer Walker mentioned after the accountable verdict. “And that is the reason what we’re going to be inquiring for.”

Nov. 15, 2024

Sam Woodward used to be sentenced to existence in jail with out the potential for parole.

Blaze’s Legacy

After their son’s homicide, Blaze’s oldsters had been made up our minds 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 used to be tragically killed, there may be now a tribute to Blaze. To at the present time, other people from far and wide the sector proceed to depart stones in his reminiscence.