Disturbing Details Revealed In Murder Of Gay Jewish Student By Alleged Neo-Nazi
According to a report by Advocate, a trial is underway for a crime that shook a community. Samuel Woodward, 26, an alleged neo-Nazi, stands accused of murdering Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old gay Jewish student from the University of Pennsylvania. The crime happened on January 2, 2018, in a park in Southern California.
“I felt anger like nothing before”
Woodward took the stand to give his account of that night. He said he was high on marijuana when he stabbed Bernstein. His story had many gaps. He couldn’t remember key details about the attack.
The two men knew each other from high school. They met up after matching on a dating app. Woodward claims Bernstein tried to take photos of him without consent. This led to a fight, he says.
“Calm down, it’s not a big deal”
These were allegedly Bernstein’s last words before Woodward attacked him. The accused stabbed Bernstein about 20 times. He then buried the body in a shallow grave in Borrego Park.
Police found Woodward soon after. He allegedly had scratches on his arms and dirt under his nails. They also found a knife and a sleeping bag with Bernstein’s blood.
Woodward’s alleged ties to a neo-Nazi group called Atomwaffen Division raise questions about his motives. His social media reportedly had posts against Jewish people and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Bernstein was a bright student at the University of Pennsylvania. He was the editor of Penn Apetít, the school’s cooking magazine. Friends describe him as talented and punctual.
The trial is still underway and it has brought attention to hate crimes and violence against minority groups.
