**Hate Crime Results in Life Sentence for California Man**

A California man found guilty of a heinous hate crime, resulting in the stabbing death of a gay University of Pennsylvania student, has been handed a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Samuel Woodward, 27, received his sentence in a Southern California courtroom after being convicted of the first-degree murder of Blaze Bernstein.

The incident occurred nearly seven years ago when Bernstein, a 19-year-old gay and Jewish college sophomore, was murdered. Woodward was absent from the court due to illness, but that didn't stop the hearing from proceeding. The courtroom was filled with Bernstein's family and friends, many of whom wore "Blaze it Forward" T-shirts, symbolizing a movement to perform acts of kindness in Bernstein’s honor.

Jeanne Pepper, Bernstein’s mother, emphatically declared the crime as one driven by hate, stating, "Samuel Woodward ended my son's life because my son was Jewish and gay." She expressed a bittersweet sense of solace, knowing that Woodward would remain incarcerated while the memory and spirit of her son continued to be celebrated through kind deeds performed in his name.

Kimberly Edds, spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorney's office, clarified that the jury’s guilty verdict automatically warranted a life sentence without parole for Woodward. Despite this, Woodward's lawyer, Ken Morrison, argued for the possibility of a lesser sentence of 28 years to life, citing the jury's lack of access to all evidence and indicating plans to appeal the verdict.

The tragic events began in January 2018 when Bernstein disappeared after an evening outing with Woodward to a park in Lake Forest, roughly 45 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Missing his dentist appointment the next day, his parents found his personal items at home and could not reach him. An exhaustive search ensued, during which Bernstein's communication with Woodward on Snapchat came to light. Days later, Bernstein's body was discovered in a shallow grave, showing evidence of repeated stabbing.

The trial centered on Woodward’s motivations and the circumstances surrounding the brutal act. Prosecutors linked Woodward to the anti-gay, neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, presenting evidence of his hateful intentions. In contrast, Morrison argued that Woodward, grappling with an undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, had no premeditated plan to harm Bernstein and was confused about his sexuality due to his family's conservative and homophobic beliefs.

Despite these arguments, authorities uncovered damning evidence at Woodward’s family home, including a black Atomwaffen mask with blood traces, a folding knife with a bloodied blade, and various anti-gay, antisemitic materials. This chilling finding further solidified the prosecution's case that the murder was fueled by hate.

The highly publicized trial, marked by delays, captured the attention and outcry of the Southern California community, which rallied in support of Bernstein’s memory and justice for the heinous crime against him.