A 26-year-old man was convicted Wednesday of first- degree murder, along with a hate crime allegation, for killing a gay former classmate in Foothill Ranch six years ago.
Jurors, who began deliberating Tuesday afternoon, convicted Samuel Lincoln Woodward for the Jan. 3, 2018, stabbing death of Blaze Bernstein, 19. Woodward's attorneys conceded during the trial that he killed Bernstein, but denied it was a hate crime or a premeditated act, saying at worst he should be convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
The jury, however, found Woodward guilty of first-degree murder, and also found true allegations that the killing was a hate crime, and that he personally used a deadly weapon -- a knife.
Cheers were heard in the courtroom audience as the verdict was read, particularly when the hate crime allegation was found to be true.
There were no indications of any visible reaction from Woodward, whose sat facing forward, his face obscured by his long, shaggy hair.
Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 25.
The hate-crime enhancement alleged Woodward killed Bernstein because of the victim's sexual orientation, not because he was Jewish, though jurors were also given evidence of the defendant's association with a neo-Nazi group known as the Atomwaffen Division to consider a pattern of bigotry.
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Woodward and Bernstein attended the Orange County School of the Arts together for four years. Bernstein graduated after six years at the school and went on to become a pre-med student at the University of Pennsylvania.
Woodward, meanwhile, transferred to Corona Del Mar High School where he graduated and went on to Cal State Channel Islands before dropping out in his second semester.
Woodward spent five days testifying during the trial, often taking up to 30 seconds to respond to yes or no questions.
Woodward said he reached out to Bernstein hours after a long text- exchange conversation with his big brother's best friend, Dylan Gronendyke, on New Year's Day in 2018. As Woodward complained that he could not establish any meaningful relationships and would even leave the house and go to a parking lot alone just to give his parents the impression he went out with friends, Gronendyke encouraged him to return to college and to not give up trying to make friends.
Nearly a day passed before Bernstein responded to Woodward, and the two agreed to meet up the night of Jan. 2, 2018. Woodward stuffed snacks and drinks and marijuana into a sleeping bag and picked up Bernstein, who directed the two to Borrego Park, where the victim's mother said he had many lifelong memories, such as playing soccer as a youth.
Woodward testified he took two hits off a heady strain of marijuana and felt he was nodding off until he felt a strange sensation on his legs and immediately thought he had gotten too relaxed and urinated on himself as he had done previously.
When he snapped to, Woodward testified, he realized his pants were undone and the victim had his hand on his groin. Bernstein also appeared to be photographing or video recording the encounter, he testified.
This triggered panic in Woodward, who said he was in "mortal terror" his family, who objected to homosexuality on religious grounds, would find out. He said the "look" on his father's face alone could be so upsetting he struggled to get the phone away from Bernstein, who, the defendant claimed, was saying words to the effect that he would "out" Woodward, who had a reputation in high school for homophobia.
When he could not get the phone, Woodward said he snapped and repeatedly stabbed Bernstein and then smashed the phone.
Woodward said he dug a shallow grave with his hands and left the body in the park.
When Bernstein failed to show for a dental appointment, which was unusual, and could not be contacted, his worried parents began searching for clues and contacted authorities. The victim's body was found Jan. 9, 2018, in an area of the park that had been scoured previously, but a recent rain made it easier to see him, Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said.
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