As Memorial Grows For Blaze Bernstein, Accused Killer Remains In Jail
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA/AP) — As a memorial continues to grow for a slain college student from Orange County at a quiet Foothill Ranch park, his accused killer remained behind bars Wednesday night
Criminal charges were filed Wednesday against a 20-year-old Newport Beach man arrested in connection with the stabbing death of Blaze Bernstein, the University of Pennsylvania student who went missing Jan. 2 and was found dead a week later in a Lake Forest park.
Samuel Lincoln Woodward is charged with one felony count of murder and a sentencing enhancement of personal use of a knife. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Orange County Superior Court Wednesday, but the hearing was postponed until Feb. 2. A judge ruled that he continue to be jailed without bail until his arraignment.
Bernstein's parents didn't appear in court Wednesday but they did tell CBS News their son couldn't wait to move in to his new college apartment. It remains empty as packages pile up inside.
"He was busy shopping online and having those deliveries made, that's really gut-wrenching for me, that just tears me apart," Bernstein's mother Jeanne said. "There was a life, There's a life that I have to deconstruct now, there's a person that should be there, that wanted those things, that wanted that life."
Woodward was arrested Jan. 12 in connection with the killing of the 19-year-old Bernstein, a pre-med student who was home on winter break when he was killed. Woodward's parents are devout Catholics and held hands in court. Their son's defense attorney says they're suffering and in shock.
Bernstein and Woodward were former classmates at the Orange County School for the Arts. It's unclear if they were friends, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said at a Wednesday morning news conference.
Bernstein was visiting his parents on winter break when he went to Borrego Park with Woodward Jan. 2, authorities said. His body, which had been stabbed 20 times, was found in a shallow grave there a week later.
While under surveillance by detectives, Woodward cleaned the car that he used to pick up Blaze, Rackauckas said. And while the exact time and place of the murder is still under investigation, Woodward is also believed to have visited the crime scene days after the murder.
Rackauckas said Woodward had "abrasions, scratches and dirt on his hands" when he first spoke to investigators.
Furthermore, Bernstein's DNA "was on property in control of" Woodward, Rackauckas added.
Investigators are still looking into whether this was a hate crime, Rackauckas told reporters. In an affidavit, Woodward told investigators he was angry after Bernstein kissed him the night they went to the park. Bernstein's parents believe the killing may have been a hate crime against their gay son.
"We are continuing to investigate, we're looking through all matters of communication, all the things that were said and done, and working to try and determine that," Rackauckas said.
"We're looking for that evidence, if and when we find it, we'll amend the charges and file that."
Bernstein's parents -- Gideon and Jeanne -- issued a statement expressing dismay about the possible cause of their son's death.
"Our son was a beautiful, gentle soul who we loved more than anything," the Bernsteins said. "We were proud of everything he did and who he was. He had nothing to hide. We are in solidarity with our son and the LGBTQ community. There is still much discovery to be done and if it is determined that this was a hate crime, we will cry not only for our son, but for LGBTQ people everywhere that live in fear or who have been victims of hate crime."
On the night of the murder, the two communicated via Snapchat, Rackauckas said. Woodward then picked up Bernstein from his home and they drove to Borrego Park. However, it is unclear why Woodward picked him up. Bernstein left the home without taking his wallet or credit cards. They then drove to Borrego Park, Woodward claims.
Woodward told investigators that Bernstein wandered into the park and disappeared. Woodward says he eventually left the park at 1 a.m., telling investigators he drove to a girlfriend's house in Tustin, but returned about 3:40 a.m. when Bernstein still had not surfaced, according to a search warrant affidavit.
In subsequent interviews, however, Woodward was unable to remember the girlfriend's name or address, according to the affidavit.
Bernstein was reported missing Jan. 3 by his family after he missed a dental appointment and failed to answer telephone calls and text messages. After a weeklong search, his body was found Jan. 9 on the outskirts of the park.
"I don't want to be equating the defendant and the suspect, we have a murderer, and we have a victim," Rackauckas said.
Meanwhile, neighbors in the Newport Beach neighborhood where Woodward had been living have launched an email campaign, urging the district attorney not release him on bail. Woodward is currently being held without bail, but bail could be set at his arraignment, which is expected to happen after charges are filed.
Woodward faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison if convicted.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
