Blaze Bernstein trial: Samuel Woodward's lawyer claims murder of gay Jewish teen not motivated by hate crime

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA: The Blaze Bernstein murder trial began with a dramatic turn as Samuel Woodward's attorney admitted his client's responsibility for the death of the 19-year-old, who was Jewish and gay, but vehemently denied that the killing constituted a hate crime.

While delivering the opening statement in Santa Ana's Orange County Superior Court on Tuesday, April 9, Assistant Public Defender Kenneth Morrison declared, "What happened that night, plain and simple, was not a hate crime."

He argued that Bernstein's sexual orientation had no bearing on the motive behind the January 2018 murder, asserting, "[He] was not killed because of who he was but because of what he did to Sam Woodward after they met up."

Defense and prosecution clash over Samuel Woodward's motive behind killing Blaze Bernstein

Morrison stressed that Woodward's association with the white supremacist hate group Atomwaffen Division did not drive his actions and that the murder was not premeditated.

He portrayed his client as a socially awkward individual who struggled with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and longed for acceptance, and claimed, "His ASD went undiagnosed and untreated for almost his entire life."

Morrison also highlighted Woodward's tumultuous upbringing in an "unaccepting household" and his torment over his sexuality.

The suspect's involvement with the Atomwaffen Division was discussed, including his attendance at the group's "hate camp" in Texas. Further, Morrison disputed the prosecution's narrative of a hate-fueled killing, stating that Woodward's actions were not in service of the group's ideology, as per the Los Angeles Times.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker countered the public defender's claims, asserting that Woodward's deep involvement with the Atomwaffen Division was indicative of his motivations.

Walker alleged that Woodward devised tests for potential recruits and targeted Bernstein specifically "because he was gay."

The prosecution outlined evidence including the suspect's disturbing drawings and social media activity, indicating a pattern of targeting gay individuals. 

Samuel Woodward apparently stabbed Blaze Bernstein 28 times

On January 2, 2018, when Bernstein was in his Foothill Ranch home for winter break, he and Woodward exchanged flirtatious texts and agreed to hang out. Woodward, then 20, asserted his heterosexual orientation but noted he "might make an exception for you." Soon after, he picked Bernstein up from his home. 

When Bernstein did not respond to texts or calls by the afternoon of January 3, 2018, about a missed dental appointment, his parents grew concerned, and on returning home they found his wallet and glasses in his bedroom as well as his car still in the driveway. 

They went through their son's social media accounts and found he had last spoken to Woodward. On being contacted, he admitted to meeting Bernstein but claimed that the victim had "walked off into the Borrego Park to meet an unknown friend" and never returned, as per NBC Los Angeles. 

Investigators searched the park for a week, but Bernstein's body wasn't discovered until heavy rains swept away just enough mud to reveal the shallow grave. The autopsy revealed 28 stab wounds, primarily to the neck, along with defensive injuries on his hands. 

During the investigation, Bernstein's blood was found on Woodward's watch, on a folding knife discovered in his desk, and on a sleeping bag concealed near his residence. Additionally, Woodward's cellphone pings placed him around the area of the burial shortly before midnight on January 2, 2018.

On January 12, 2018, Woodward was booked on suspicion of Bernstein's murder. He's expected to take the witness stand during the ongoing trial.