In a long-awaited development, the trial of Samuel Woodward, the alleged killer of Blaze Bernstein, a University of Pennsylvania student, has commenced. Bernstein, an openly gay and Jewish individual, was brutally stabbed to death in January 2018, and his body was discovered in Lake Forest, California.

Woodward, a former classmate of Bernstein, could face life imprisonment without the chance of parole if found guilty of the slaying, along with an additional hate crime enhancement. The trial began this Tuesday, shedding light on the disturbing details surrounding the case.

The brutal nature of Bernstein's murder was revealed during the trial, with evidence showing that he was stabbed 19 times in the neck. Investigators discovered alarming anti-gay and anti-Jewish material linked to the white supremacist hate group known as the Atomwaffen Division on Woodward's phone, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Furthermore, physical evidence pointing towards Woodward's involvement emerged during the investigation. Bernstein's blood was found both in Woodward's car and on a knife located at Woodward's Newport Beach residence. These findings, coupled with the hateful material discovered on his phone, elevate the murder to a possible hate crime.

During the trial, Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker argued that Woodward had specifically targeted Bernstein due to his sexual orientation and religion, referring to his actions as a form of 'hunting.' Walker emphasized Woodward's apparent selection of gay individuals as his chosen 'prey.'

However, the defense team representing Woodward has disputed this account, asserting that the popular narrative of a "Nazi killing a gay Jew" is inaccurate, according to the Assistant Public Defender Kenneth Morrison, as reported by the Times.

As the trial commences, it remains uncertain whether the hate crime allegation will hold up in court. The proceedings will aim to provide justice for the untimely death of Blaze Bernstein and determine the extent of Woodward's culpability in this tragic incident.

The trial continues, and interested parties are closely following the developments as they unfold in the courtroom. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, not just for the loved ones affected by Bernstein's loss, but for the broader conversation surrounding hate crimes and the search for justice in such grave instances of violence.