**Samuel Woodward Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Hate-Fueled Murder**

A judge handed down a life sentence without the possibility of parole to Samuel Woodward on Friday, following his conviction for the murder of Blaze Bernstein, a gay Jewish former classmate. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, underscores the brutal nature of the crime and its motivation by hate.

Woodward was found guilty by an Orange County jury in July of first-degree murder, with jurors concluding that his actions were driven by animosity towards Bernstein's sexual orientation and religious identity. Nineteen-year-old Bernstein, a University of Pennsylvania student, suffered 28 stab wounds, a crime that Judge Kimberly Menninger described as premeditated rather than a spontaneous act of violence.

The incident occurred in January 2018 when Woodward picked up Bernstein in Lake Forest. Within an hour and a half, Bernstein was dead and buried in a park. Judge Menninger dismissed Woodward's claim that Bernstein provoked the attack by photographing him in a compromising position, stating there was no evidence to support this assertion. Instead, she emphasized Woodward's deep-seated hatred, reinforced by his affiliation with the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division and the vitriolic content found on his computer.

The sentencing, initially delayed due to Woodward's absence attributed to illness, proceeded without him. Bernstein's mother, Jeanne Pepper, expressed outrage, calling Woodward a coward and recounting the deceitful interactions she had with him while her son was missing. According to Pepper, Woodward lied to her about Bernstein's whereabouts, presenting a facade of concern while fully aware of the grim reality.

Evidence presented during the trial painted Woodward as a young man grappling with his sexuality in an oppressive environment, a factor that his defense argued contributed to his radicalization and actions. Despite this, the jury remained unconvinced, particularly in light of Woodward's chilling "hate diary" and the discovery of a blood-stained death's-head mask among his possessions.

During the trial, both the defense and the prosecution offered contrasting portraits of Woodward. While his defense attorney, Ken Morrison, attempted to frame Woodward as a socially isolated individual with undiagnosed autism, the prosecution maintained that his crime was a calculated attempt to bolster his standing within the neo-Nazi community and dispel any personal doubts about his sexuality.

The sentencing drew a solemn yet determined crowd, with many attendees wearing #BlazeItForward apparel to honor Bernstein's legacy and advocate for tolerance. The Bernstein family, who exited the courtroom in protest during defense statements, continues to seek justice and promote the values their son stood for.