The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein | Full Episode

A brilliant college student is killed by a former classmate. Inside the trial of the secret neo-Nazi prosecutors say murdered Blaze because he was gay and Jewish. "48 Hours" correspondent Tracy Smith reports. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV.
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True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives.
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[@48hours]

Click here to watch more “48 Hours” full episodes: kzbin.info/aero/PLcFHkKbd_jTJiRmfUfLX2Ay_hnf5j3cxH

[@karinaurena7168]

❤️❤️❤️

[@melissarichard5263]

4:21 .l😊l

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

RIP ANGEL 😇

[@davidbichelmeyer4535]

The hate crime thing is not right. Get reak

[@بیبیدل]

لطفآ اگه براتون مقدوره ترجمه زبان فارسی ب ترجمه ها اضافه کنید سپاس از شما ❤🌷

[@TheNinnyfee]

Nobody that stabs someone 28 times should get parole.

[@hrdley911]

Absolutely. It demonstrates uncontrollable rage.

[@grumpygremlin2379]

Right. It was extremely personal.

[@barbarossa1780]

He just needs a few years and some counseling 🤷🏻 People do worse and get out with much less time.

[@aim302]

Life for a life

[@DonnaJean-le9ev]

Agreed!❤

[@managerof3monsters]

I think Sam hates himself and saw in Blaze everything he wasn’t…a confident, happy young man with a bright future, loved deeply by so many.

[@reinemarais4392]

The question I am asking is why Sam hates himself so much. Such a huge why.

[@robinbank5]

Lol

[@justnoted2995]

I don't think so.. hatred for his target overwhelmed any decent emotion or striving

[@molliwilson5639]

@@robinbank5why is this comment link funny to you?

[@kathykay6602]

I agree.

[@lexiaaforever437]

Ok Sam grew up catholic & believed homosexuality was a sin …..yet killing & taking an innocent life wasn’t??? His priorities are mixed up entirely.

[@MelissaRae1975]

Had had "the cherry pick bible" he got to pick and choose what he liked and didn't like

[@PAULINEC-y1o]

It’s a joke when you think of what some priests have got up to.

[@natinamack5123]

Sam was undercover gay himself.

[@AspireGMD]

Yeah the bibles "morality" is quite outdated and contradictory to say the least...

[@thomas2much601]

Murderers always make excuses to get a lesser sentence. This was a hate crime

[@Biggerbetterboulder1]

Something is so severely wrong to have so much anger over something that doesn’t hurt you, impact you, or threaten your safety in any way.

[@TheBeezusjones]

He was very clearly closeted and full of self loathing

[@LaLadybug2011]

@@TheBeezusjonesYes!

[@katm5903]

@@TheBeezusjones agreed!

[@nancytoppin7701]

that young man didn't just hate others...he hates himself most of all.

[@watsonspuzzle]

He killed for the stupidest reason. Why can't people just stay out of other people's business?

[@felishawright3783]

I think he was gay. They hooked up, then he killed him because he freaked out.

[@davidwoermansr]

​@@felishawright3783seems to be a popular option what if he just catfished him for gang status and was too stupid to meet on the DL

[@sonyamitchell794]

Agreed

[@lydiat5819]

Stupidity can be scary

[@Littlemouse884]

Never underestimate the rage of a repressed homosexual

[@lindsaykline7560]

Ugh the way the defendant looked in court. I can smell him through my phone.

[@Xtelahhh]

Omg same!! He looks crusty af

[@thomasjensen6243]

No you can't....do you always live in a world of delusions?

[@Born.In.The.U.S.of.A]

​@@thomasjensen6243obviously your offended by 🆓 speech or you're off your meds, again! 🤨

[@myanamatheney8717]

The matted hair is giving me hibbie gibbies

[@KevinN-df8eo]

I agree with you. Normally the defence tidies their client up for court.

[@deborahcrawford9079]

Live your OWN life and leave other people alone!

[@brianmaitai7685]

Now Sam Woodward will git all the "manlove" he can handle from the hommies in the pen...

[@stevenfletcher8302]

I do. I'm gay and don't care what other people do in there bedroom or what religion they follow. As long as its legal

[@vd9arcia324]

Yes, let’s mind our own business! We can respect each other and love more. Hate takes so much effort and takes away our peace 😖

[@joko09010]

@@stevenfletcher8302 Why can’t the “other side” just do the same thing?! As Tim Walz says: “Mind your own damn business.”

[@shelteredsparrow2736]

I agree! I am a born again Christian. I do believe that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin. Having said that, I do believe homosexuality is a really complicated situation. It is all about how a person lives. I loathe hate crimes. The sweet victim in the story seems like he was an amazing human being. The monster who killed him will face God.

[@deaf2819]

Let’s not get it twisted, Sam isn’t some victim of circumstances & conservative “values”. He’s a monster with questions in his own head about his sexuality ..

[@minounah]

He's certainly the product of conservative culture though. As a weak individual, he made his choice, but it was prompted by the fact that in his world he could not be himself. He turned his self-hatred onto an innocent person.

[@TimmyLongfellow]

I know right. Everything is politicized these days. Ridiculous.

[@OneShotSlinger]

I actually think he was purposely registered to lure in victims for his supremacist cult.

[@mariamabanora9702]

Absolutely agree!

[@melancolie83]

@@TimmyLongfellow A hate crime is inherently political though

[@KatSut1978]

The defense is absolutely ridiculous. If Sam was so concerned with being perceived as gay why the hell was he there in the first place. We all know exactly why. Premeditation.

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

Blaze took nude pics of Sam to blackmail him did you not watch the video?

[@peezypeeze9140]

@@freedomisbrightestindungeonsdid you not hear that the alleged photos were not found?

[@My2CentsYall]

this lawyer is probably one of them... its messed up to blame the victim but he goes their and that's just wrong.

[@My2CentsYall]

@@peezypeeze9140 I heard it but i do not believe it. Where would blaze get weed from. He had no one to sell him weed. He used it as a reason or justification. Reality is he was on the hunt to harm someone and he found his classmate. I am glad the jury saw through that lie. Look at him he looks like Charles Manson his hero.

[@davidwoermansr]

​@@My2CentsYallthe lawyer didn't come up with that garbage came from Sam

[@katiecandib3932]

I'm a queer Jewish student in OC- last year his grandparents attended one of my school's Shabbat dinners. Both grandparents were absolutely incredibly kind, and they both made an effort to talk to each of us at dinner. I didn't know until watching this video all they have been through. His grandmother spoke to me specifically about her time in the concentration camps and I cannot imagine how she lives on not only after that, but then to have her grandson taken away from her in such a cruel way. Such loving people did not deserve this

[@maryjane4432]

I’m not Jewish or queer but my step daughter and her wife are. They used donor sperm to have a baby girl. She is also Jewish. There is a kid at my 15yo’s high school who goes around quoting h!tler, n@sis and just being awful. They said bc he is “special” he can’t help it. He also refuses to go by any name except nyx. Claims he is trans female but then goes in the girls bathroom and harasses them. The school out right refuses to do anything. My daughter gets so upset. It’s getting to the point that most of the people in the school won’t associate with him. He also makes moaning noises during class.

[@laurarebb6923]

Please tell us you aren’t a “queer for Palestine”.

[@DrellOnTheTrack]

Revelation 3:9 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;

[@shishoyc]

It ​was my first thoght unfortunately. I hope not. @laurarebb6923

[@sunshinepatsoph4219]

Any religion is important for their believers, the defendant is in trouble, many lawyers are believers of one.

[@EnzoneEnt]

We live amongst Pedophiles, murders, rapists, racists but being gay seems to be the biggest problem for some people, someone who is just living their life & not harming anyone. This pisses me off. RIP Blaze

[@ransom6892]

You have fake narratives in your head taking up space

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

There is always two sides to a story I wonder if Bernstein provoked him or treated him poorly Victim mentality people think they are protected but they mess with the wrong person sometime

[@stfuplsok]

*murderers

[@davidwoermansr]

They're all equally as dangerous and evil but nothing worth stressing over they've lived among us since the beginning being gay isn't anything new and not targeted anymore than anyone else

[@Lisa-welder1]

​@@davidwoermansr not true!

[@mikewilliams6067]

Imagine being a holocaust surviving grandmother and going through this in this era still wow.. 😔

[@alainabilow]

Sadness does not even begin to explain the heinousness and ridiculousness of the accuracy of your statement. Terrible, just terrible.

[@wheezer324na3]

😢😢

[@Saewelo-returns]

Oh the humanity of it all, have you seen Gaza lately, or Lebanon?

[@DonnaKramer-g8h]

Reya's comment about not remembering Blaze's voice brought to mind something that is important to me. My husband died 2 1/2 years ago, and I long sometimes to hear his voice. I hope folks will take note of that and record your loved ones speaking so you won't have the sound of their voice added to the many other things you lose at their death.

[@karinamurillo6494]

My dad passed Dec 2nd. I have a recording of him asking me how am I doing? I replay it everyday 😢

[@joanne176]

absolutely heartbreaking 💔 i wish blaze's parents and grandparents the best and hope they can heal and find peace

[@davidwoermansr]

That'll never happen

[@debbie4893]

Sending prayers and love

[@debbie4893]

​@@davidwoermansr David, noone completely heals from a tragic loss. I've lost my husband and both of my boys. I have discovered a death of a loved one does heal but leaves a wound that only stabbed over so you can move forward in life but you will never be the same

[@davidwoermansr]

@@debbie4893 that's what I said

[@debbie4893]

​@@davidwoermansr😊

[@preciousgem6506]

Ok so now he will live a gay life in prison. How ironic!

[@davidwoermansr]

He's probably bitching out and living in PC by quitting the gang

[@Littlemouse884]

He'll be someone's wife in there with all that hair all he needs is a bit of lipstick

[@WilliamsPinch]

Probably what he wanted.

[@onyxlim]

He will be dropping the soap every shower time😂

[@davidwoermansr]

@@onyxlim with your theory that's the airforce with their silk panties and powdered soap

[@Forever_JS12]

He hated himself so much, he took it out on someone else.

[@jenjen.rutherford8559]

Now we all hate him too...

[@againstallodds0538]

Or, he defended himself from a pervert??

[@DanaElliott-ek4to]

A MOTHER OF A CHILD WHO WAS KILLED. I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH BLAZES MOM. I DONT EVER WANT TO KNOW THE DETAILS.

[@TeresaR-v1g]

I am sorry for your loss 🙏

[@johnp4331]

If Sam wasn't gay then why was he on gay social media apps? hmmm brings back memories to the Matthew shepherd case where a gay guy was murdered and tied to a fence left for dead all because 2 other guys went TO A GAY BAR WHERE MATTHEW WAS THERE!

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Hunting

[@horsegirlb7120]

It's called catfishing

[@meows7229]

It's called hating

[@absatwell8163]

Predatory behavior.

[@ca8944]

Mathew shepherd wasn’t killed bc he was gay. He was unalived over drugs

[@danmahon127]

The man who murdered Blaze took away a child from this world, and a child that had yet to grow into an adult that would have given so much to so many people. He's disgusting to me, an absolute disgrace

[@laurennnelizabethhh]

Looking at Sam makes me want to go take a shower and wash my hair 5 times in a row.

[@aldovirooo]

As a mom to a gay son, I can tell you that these hateful homophobes are my nightmare.

[@NoName-yf4zi]

You failed your “son”

[@AshleyChristenson-dr1ry]

I love to see parents accepting their children for who they are.. So many ppl don’t have any parent to be there for them and teach them about life and love and encouraging them to happy and proud. You’re doing a great job mama bear ❤ Don’t listen to the hatred on here and don’t let it keep you from commenting whatever you want.. The only person who can judge you is God and He loves you and your son dearly.. God bless you 🙏🥰

[@aqueenceereid4249]

​@@NoName-yf4ziwhy do you say this?

[@sarahsilverlight2064]

​@@NoName-yf4zi Kind of a hateful thing to say, don't you think?

[@Takieroulecheval-r8v]

@@aqueenceereid4249 because it's true.

[@apray359]

This is infuriating...why do people freaking care what others do in their PERSONAL lives?? As a hetero man, idc who people love. As long as you're a good and kind person youre A-OKAY in my book! RIP Blaze

[@KHH595]

For most of them it’s not their personal life. It’s their entire life. Every facet of who they are as a person and how they present themself to the world revolves around their sexuality.

[@sophiapreda2942]

He seemed like such a smart outgoing young man 😢 prayers for the family ❤

[@tyrellanderson4722]

Even if he weren't, wouldn't make it any less wrong.

[@MsAmique]

Definitely very smart. Have to be for acceptance into U of P.

[@MrTerrrrible]

Huh

[@SharonMartinez]

@@tyrellanderson4722bingo! Exactly. All lives matter (I do not mean to lessen the message of Black Lives Matter…total respect ✊🏾)

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

@@SharonMartinezwhite lives matter 💪🏻 It was a hate crime when a gay guy killed a gay guy?

[@AidaShawJ.D.]

Anyone questioning the mom’s comment about moving on, they just mean that they cannot grieve their child so long as the killer is not tried and convicted. They need justice so they can move on with their lives. Nothing selfish. Peace. If you find anything mean to say about grieving parents, you are the problem. ❤

[@aliciakillen1940]

They seem awfully “ over it”. If something happened to my kids. I’m never “ getting over it or on with my life “. Never!! My life would be … over. Just waiting to die

[@rainerader1182]

There is no closure. It’s a fallacy. There is justice and that’s a separate thing. Only people that have suffered loss from a violent crime can really understand. It’s not fair to judge the victims parents. After time, if calm is your way, you learn to lock your emotions. That’s what these parents are doing. It’s how you get through the trial.

[@irinasofia_sm]

That's you. Not everyone has to be the same as you. ​@@aliciakillen1940

[@dianahall1465]

Yes I agree my sister inlaw still grieves her son who was murdered because he was protecting a female My sister inlaw still grieves he was their only child

[@nikkix3993]

​@@aliciakillen1940- What a ridiculous, mindless comment. Of course, they'll never get over it. And they DIDN'T seem as if they're "over it". They represent their son very well. However, they must find their own ways of coping with his death & absence, in order to function well enough in their daily lives and to take care of each other, and any other child. They can't do that if their emotions are always down. And Blaze definitely wouldn't want that for them. They'll never forget about him, and choose to emphasize his life and happier times, more than his violent, painful death. That's how they keep him alive, and still be able to live their own lives and take care of each other the best that they possibly can. 🕊️

[@Schnooks83]

Strange, he wanted to look like Manson, but he is even a bigger coward than he was.

[@superpixelated7354]

true, I would stay true to the cause. Especially like saying it directly to the jury, why I do it. He chickened out and now, he lost the respect of his fellow members

[@MrTerrrrible]

Self defense?

[@brianmaitai7685]

Somebody give the Defense Attorney a sandwich......

[@bnhietala]

Right? Charles Manson danced and caused a general ruckus in the courtroom during his trial. This dude just sat there. Pretty pathetic.

[@meows7229]

@@brianmaitai7685how you do this emoji

[@stevenfletcher8302]

As a gay male why does it matter to anyone who i sleep with as long as its consenting and legal i dont object to straight people sleeping with there partner. People should mind there own business nobody's perfect. Blaze Bernstein looked a handsome young kind sweet guy murdered because his sexuality and religion offended an A hole . People are to quick to judge others instead of looking at them selves and thinking who am i too judge you . Rest in peace Blaze

[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

Preach my good man!

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

It doesn’t matter to most of us and we find the obsession with caring extremely odd and disturbing.

[@seemore1539]

“Their”, there is a difference

[@IMakeVideos019]

Yes! 💯

[@nicefish10]

I’ve said this for years. I am not gay. And I have often stated the other young people who are gay that I work with it doesn’t matter who you choose to sleep with. It doesn’t matter what your preferences are until you plan to be intimate with somebody. Nobody else should ever know what your preferences until that moment. So many people today use their sexuality as the biggest part of who they are when it should be a smaller part of who we are. God bless you brother.

[@RaquelGarcia-gb9pu]

I went and hugged my son after this episode. I was in tears. God bless those parents. I couldn’t imagine.

[@سارهاحمد-ت2ش]

I think Blaze was killed because he knew the killer's hidden secret, Sam is gay.

[@arre919]

100%

[@maryjane4432]

He was jealous bc he was confident and smart as well. Sam was jealous of it all

[@سارهاحمد-ت2ش]

Yes,he was probably jealous because if he decided to come out he would've got targeted by his own neonazi group.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

💯💯

[@DJJahT]

Blaze was scared of telling his own parents, so Sam would be too, so conservative society is part of the problem too.

[@annamariadipancrazio7315]

They were trying to make him look insane by not cleaning him up!!

[@tracypolselli1464]

I was wondering why his lawyer didn’t clean him up, great point.

[@kathysenn7664]

rules in jails come to bear.. probably vary from state to state, district to district. can the accused rights be violated by said rules? I had the same thought.. shouldn't there be health standards met? maybe they are over run by human rights? his appearance is off-putting..maybe the defense had a hand in that? we live in a crazy time. humanity is sick depraved evil and destined for eternal separation from the Creator God . Our Salvation, Jesus the Son is real and He is coming sooner than later.

[@pipercraven-zd9ui]

Plus he idolized Charles Manson.

[@molliwilson5639]

I agree. So manipulative

[@molliwilson5639]

@@tracypolselli1464it was purposeful

[@tanjagroen7368]

The murderer looks gay himself and took his jealous built up frustration out on him

[@sirbonobo3907]

Dont judge a book buy its cover.

[@cristinaaristizabal9882]

How. Is to look gay?

[@kemouse]

Yeah I think they got together and dude got buyer's remorse and so...

[@preciousgem6506]

Yes! Thought same. Got my gaydar on

[@KraftyKreator]

Seriously? Wow, that’s messed up.

[@nemaluna]

I'm sorry but even before Sam went to jail he didn't look sain to me. If I saw his pic on social media/dating app I would have ran the other waY. Look at his eyes, it's pure evil!

[@Luvtallhorses]

Sane. You’re welcome

[@shobe80]

I understand these defense attorneys are just doing their jobs, but they’re still pretty scummy for perpetrating lies they know are bs.

[@alainabilow]

Scummy for money? Disgusting behavior and "tact" from the defense attorney.

[@ShermThursby]

Inadequate counsel is grounds for appeals and sanctions.

[@veronacoleman4604]

Why when the press interviews the parents of a deceased person they ask some STUPID questions!

[@davidwoermansr]

To keep the evil and hate going the government would be way different if we were united and paying attention to what they're doing instead the media helps them keep us fighting amongst ourselves and divided is it a coincidence every election year something big is going on so we don't see the backdoor deals we had Clinton not knowing the definition of a sexual relation was Obama was you're racist if you vote against him Hillary lost because the Russians 20 the covid was weaponized now Diddy is the distraction it's no coincidence they waited so long to arrest him

[@Cubbitalilly]

You just expressed my exact thoughts! They should probably draft their questions rather than going off head cos some questions don't sound very bright.

[@carolaguilera6911]

Yea the editing sometimes

[@madcreeps9614]

The interviewer said to the mother “can you still hear him?” mom says no, (cause she can’t, her son is DEAD) and the interviewer responds “that’s kinda sad”… YEAH, IT IS SAD, HER SON IS DEAD. HE IS NO LONGER WITH US. And your response is “that’s kinda sad” 😭??? yeah kinda!!!!

[@davidwoermansr]

@@madcreeps9614 I still hear people who have died I was close to

[@whitneylc117]

This was definitely premeditated given his specific interests. I cannot believe they let him in court looking like that! RIP Blaze

[@Globelle]

They did it on purpose to make him look crazy aka mental

[@cutandgo]

My heart goes out to Blaze's family and friends. Losing a child to such a heinous and senseless crime is more than harrowing. Nobody should die because of their orientation, race or beliefs. This is why an intolerant society is a dangerous society.

[@shelbybutler9714]

100%

[@gregshell8570]

He wasn't an only child.

[@trailrider7046]

The family portrait showed two sons and a daughter.

[@maryjane4432]

He was the oldest of three

[@cutandgo]

Thanks for the corrections. I had mainly listened in and did not seen the family portrait.

[@ATAHUALPA867]

Rest in peace, kid. No pain, no hate anymore sad to see his granny surviving the holocaust to be followed and losing him this way. This guy will rot in jail.

[@tamitribbiani7907]

I wish Blaze made it to Heaven, i truly do but the Bible says sin will never Heaven.

[@S-Hay2024]

​@tamitribbiani7907 absolutely no need for this comment. Do better

[@angrynerdrock]

Sam literally looks crazy, even before the Manson haircut.

[@damarisobonyo677]

😂true

[@monica53210]

His friend is amazing for representing him so well. Good on her

[@davidwoermansr]

Aren't all friends like that Sam's friends represented him well is that good on them

[@mads597]

@@davidwoermansrno

[@davidwoermansr]

@@mads597 so what's so good on her

[@MacT4972]

@@davidwoermansrreally? Blaze was kind. Sam & his friends were in a hate group. What’s positive to say about hate?

[@davidwoermansr]

@@MacT4972 they liked their friend as much as Blaze's friends did

[@maggielarkin9314]

His hair is making me physically sick....

[@سارهاحمد-ت2ش]

His nails too

[@junemarshall-kingsley566]

They managed to get a suit on him but couldn't get a brush through that matted fur.

[@Littlemouse884]

😂

[@pamelaanne9489]

i'm sure he'll be getting his head shaved immediately after sentencing.

[@oliverbell1937]

Evil coward but he kinda controlled that court room...move your hair please??? Mumbling, the judge should have pulled his hair into ponytail & been done with it,..🙏🏽

[@MrTerrrrible]

Fake hate crime. WOKE

[@missmaomi28]

Exactly!!

[@gorecat798]

I agree and not to mention that it looked absolutely disgusting too I had to look away everytime he came on screen too gross

[@AlesiaKuhl]

If they cut your hair for the military, why not jail/prison?

[@cahatlady]

​@@AlesiaKuhlbecause of the ACLU. 😡😠🤬

[@BlueAmerican26]

Sam was lashing out from his own inner struggles with his homosexuality. It's pretty obvious he hated himself, and killed Blaze to to reject his own issues. What a monster.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Sad 💔

[@chronicwhisper]

Psychologist?

[@Littlemouse884]

Yeah it reminds me of the father in American Beauty > such a powerful film

[@alainabilow]

Thank you. This is exactly right.

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

So basically projection

[@KeithSergent]

Kids, stay away from tinder.

[@eerielconstantine5051]

Grindr, tinder, whisper, all those apps just concentrate the cesspool of humanity Doesn’t mean you won’t find genuine good people on there but the majority are not.

[@Linda-qt8qk]

Blaze’s parents are so strong I think that I would still not be able to interview at that point. I’m a very weak person and because I remember losing my brother 50 years ago and I’m still in a lot of pain. I was only 11 years old when he died and I’m now 62 years old and I can describe him from head to toe. His smile his hair and the way he wore it. I remember his facial expressions. His broad shoulders. I miss him everyday and I think about him at least once a day. His death added more to the trauma I was experiencing.

[@adamc827]

This is what happens when kids are taught this filth. Dude parents, or whoever else taught him to hate needs to be put in prison as well. As a parent it’s fairly obvious people are taught to hate, it just doesn’t come naturally.

[@denitajohnson5887]

Right, cause we're not born with hate and racism in our heart ❤

[@traviscoates6878]

You clearly have no grasp of reality...Your parents should be jailed

[@Therezumee92]

Ultra Christian family as we heard, he sure was taught hate by his parents, they probably are proud. There's no greater hate than Christian love.

[@gimmeuhbreak]

@@traviscoates6878because they believe someone shouldn’t teach their children to hate random people just for their sexuality or religion???

[@Born.In.The.U.S.of.A]

Hate does come naturally. It is written... "The heart is deceitful above all things, and DESPERATELY wicked: Who can know it? Jer 17:9 NKJV

[@ThreeeDays]

Poor grandma 😢 prayers to this family

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

She is precious. The epitome of the Jewish Bubba. My heart hurts for her.

[@darondatoole7439]

This is more than just horrendous. It is scarey as all get out.

[@LucianoDelPinto]

Shoutout to all my American permanent dream!!

[@chainamarie03]

All murders are scary.

[@Autumn_Forest_]

People often get killed when hooking up with strangers on the internet. Nothing especially *scary* about this case in particular.

[@lyndajamrozik4786]

Wait a sec - they didn’t search the park with cadaver dogs??? Wouldn’t they have found him a lot sooner ???

[@deb6828]

Killer was a repressed gay. It was self hate.

[@susanloveshuskies]

Oh BS Blaze didn't do that.

[@KraftyKreator]

Of course not, he just had to say something, so he lied.

[@Littlemouse884]

I agree it was BS !

[@ABC-ed8cg]

They’ll say any BS to get out of a murderer conviction.

[@LotsofLisa]

This theme is all too common. Closeted people with mental health issues mostly due to guilt, self loathing, isolation and sociopathy, kills a person who is the human embodiment of the one thing they hate most about themselves.

[@w1s86]

Please excuse my being off-topic. Their names are Bernstein and Woodward, just like the Watergate journalists?

[@biancamaclean4794]

😂😂😂

[@vincentcohoe5746]

yup

[@jenniferg6818]

Every city has that firm.

[@cydppalley2644]

Great observation!

[@pamelagrundman476]

Loll! True

[@misskiraly69]

The parents look like they have a strong bond. Thats a blessing in this horror situation.

[@MsBobcat87]

I’m so glad that Blaze’s parents are still together and there for each other - such a testament to Blaze’s life and their love for him.

[@rmanning2750]

What a coward the defendant is. He did not want to face his accusers nor his consequences. Evil. He killed with a knife , he did not have to take a life because he felt conflicted. No excuse.

[@KimberlyBishh]

Like most males, no self control, no consideration and no power equals a selfish life with victims everywhere.

[@starhuggsxx]

@@KimberlyBishh THIS!

[@williamelliott]

That is a very stupid statement. You saying most mem is idiocy. It shows your ignorance. ​@KimberlyBishh

[@maryjane4432]

@@KimberlyBishhif it was “most males” we would live in a different world

[@vickythaya4451]

As a gay man I can confirm that most gay men are attracted to mysterious, quiet, villain looking guys! And most of them turn out to be crazy wiredos!

[@TINYQUBIT]

Blaze enjoyed all the comforts of a beautiful life, wonderful parents, grandparents, friends, a promising future, intelligence, and good looks. He was bestowed with every gift and opportunity possible; his future life was ensured. Yet, the id, a desire to eat the forbidden fruit, not to be 100% safe, and in fact test the boundaries can be so seductive it overrules reason, sometimes with dire results. Very tragic.

[@elcubanito2442]

Women also. That is why so many women are pen pals with horrible criminals in prison.

[@Avsfan23]

This is disgusting. I'd give him solitary for life.

[@junemarshall-kingsley566]

I'd say the Death Penalty is appropriate here but it's California, so forget it.

[@WilliamsPinch]

@@junemarshall-kingsley566solitary is worse than deathrow.

[@poolhalljunkie9]

People on death row are usually kept in solitary.

[@ct5625]

@@junemarshall-kingsley566 Death penalty doesn't solve anything, just makes you feel better about your rage. It costs more than life in prison. There have been hundreds of thousands of cases of people being exonerated after death. Two (Red) states in the USA have just murdered two people in cases where it's basically proven they didn't commit the crime, the Republicans didn't care, they murdered them anyway. Keeping people like this alive allows psychologists to study them and learn more about what turns people into sociopaths.

[@brl0522]

That flirty behavior could’ve just been a set up

[@elwalker9034]

All this hooking up is dangerous.

[@sheenapinder717]

That's exactly what it was.

[@baileyarnold2020]

I think the messages on tinder were solely for Sam to set someone up and unfortunately, it happened to be Blaze. RIP baby boy ❤

[@onerainiday]

Unfortunately, Neo-Natzisism and Antisemitism are on the rise. Sad, heartbreaking, and tragic loss of a beautiful, loving, and talented young man.

[@nicefish10]

I just do not understand any of it. Why hate the Jews so much? Nobody has ever told me a reason. Occasionally you can hear anti Semite remarks here and there, but not one person has ever explained to me why they have so much hatred for a people that have been persecuted for so long. I just do not get it at all.

[@ct5625]

And it's being actively promoted in the USA right now by the Republican party. VOTE.

[@joniepoole1604]

Why does the interviewer always ask if they have flash backs or remember them? Seriouslyit's like random interview questions for a job.What do you think of course people remember their loved ones...

[@KimberlyBishh]

Seriously they have the worst questions !!

[@KimberlyBishh]

or "what do you remember most about your son?" 🤔🙄🫤

[@junemarshall-kingsley566]

"How do you feel about your loved one's death?" As if someone would reply, "It was awesome." It is childish but it is also manipulative the way they paint the victim to be a flawless saint who lights up the room. As they say in Brazil, "Everybody who dies is a saint."

[@WilliamsPinch]

It’s just a tactic to make the subjects emotionally share a tearful memory. Typically done with more sincerity and sympathy.

[@chizusakuraa]

How casual or nonchalant Sam’s voice was when Blaze’s parents first called him, despite the horrible thing he did. What a wacko.

[@laurahoward5426]

Sam joins an all-male bonding group.....Gay

[@alainabilow]

Hilarious and sad

[@willp.2007]

Sam is a closeted homosexual. They matched on Tinder. No one stabs 28 times except for a crime of passion, that's an overkill. He secretly wanted Blaze but couldn't accept his own sexuality. This is so sad. So much hatred & violence in the world. 😢

[@a_lucientes]

He seemed like such a bright and sweet person. What a terrible loss.

[@jeannetvanderdeijl3243]

To hate is so much easier than to love. Don’t be a coward and hate…. Look in your heart why you choose hate.

[@divingduck9]

i beg to differ. a kiss woulda been so much ezier than a knifing

[@SC.......]

Hate camp ?? Wtf is this world coming to.

[@DeniseCoelhoEnglishForLife]

Y is it a thing? What country allows it to exist and not put those responsible behind bars?

[@theresarasche3173]

My fear is it’s going to get worse if Trump gets into office 😢

[@Born.In.The.U.S.of.A]

​@@theresarasche3173👈🤣🤣🤣 Right??? When we can enjoy FOUR more years of word salads that have been holistically prepared; and be unburdened by what has been???? 🥴

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

@@theresarasche3173our economy is failing and we have no border You are part of the problem

[@SC.......]

@@Born.In.The.U.S.of.A thank you 😊 someone with some GD common sense

[@bethbounds2873]

This is why the Death Penalty should be used!!

[@WilliamBonney-gl2qf]

The CA Liberals would never allow it

[@caroljackson5051]

External forces coming to bear on his life - RUBBISH! Making excuses for a monster.

[@anthonypeterson3112]

The term "hate crime" is ridiculous. No crime is committed without hate

[@maryturner3473]

This!!!!!

[@pixi2209]

Exactly. Stupid word.

[@matthewbarry1746]

Who do jay-walkers hate? Sidewalks? 😂

[@anthonypeterson3112]

@@matthewbarry1746 they hate it enough to jay walk it seems

[@ShermThursby]

Most crimes are committed without hate.

[@adrianops7]

Truly devastating, a beautiful young soul with so much life ahead of him. May God keep comforting the family and rest assured Blaze's memory will live forever.

[@suaveloccsta]

RIP Blaze such a sweet soul taken so soon ….🕊️💙

[@davidwoermansr]

Depends if you believe in God no he wasn't

[@AdamM-zw7fp]

@@davidwoermansra human with a good soul died, okay sure yeah being gay is against Torah but nobody is perfect. Stop trying to make it about yourself, as if you are so righteous. R.I.P blaze

[@davidwoermansr]

@@AdamM-zw7fp I never said anything like that and nothing to make it about me in anyway just pointing out that at the time most people believed in God and didn't see him as a good person I never put my opinion in there in any way shape or form

[@tamitribbiani7907]

@@davidwoermansr These days sin is so accepted and people think pretty much everyone goes to Heaven no matter how they lived. It's just not reality.

[@KathleenBittner-n9w]

They had to wait SIX years for justice....there is something seriously wrong with the justice system in this country

[@WilliamBonney-gl2qf]

I think Rona delayed the court proceedings

[@liseklerekoper2441]

Blaze was clearly loved, valued, respected, & more by so, so many people. Absolutely disgusting that Sam portrayed Blaze as the aggressor. It seems so obvious that Sam was a troubled young man with deep-seated mental health issues and most likely, he was gay, but couldn’t accept himself. Blaze was everything that he wished he could be and wished he could have. For that reason, Blaze was killed. To see someone so full of hate, rage, and no regard for human life, it’s chilling and disturbing.😅

[@kitwarjri7086]

Never miss not one 48 hour episodes.Thanks 48

[@cathylittleton7361]

I tbink sam was gay and killed blaze

[@kathykay6602]

The pain of his grandparents is palpable....

[@dawnwalker553]

43:17 Sentencing date was delayed until Nov 15, 2024

[@edrrobb1988]

Ty I was looking for this

[@lilg2300]

sam looks like a psycho. i don't get why he met with him?

[@MsAmique]

Yeah, if his oldest friend and classmate knew he was trouble, he had to know.

[@molliemae6855]

Come ON! Why do you think?! 🙄

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

Blaze kept lying about concentration camps in ww2 He had a victim mentality which is a sign of a lying narcissist

[@ShermThursby]

Nope.​@@freedomisbrightestindungeons

[@isolinapeery5001]

The dramatic and laud music isn’t necessary. IMO

[@selah71]

Love always prevails and shines its light on darkness to expose the truth. The love and light of Blaze lives on. ✨💛✨ May all his loved ones be comforted. 💕💖💕

[@user-pb9xj8nf5v]

Weird story....... The girl who is Blazes friend seems to exactly how terrible this defendant is yet Blaze voluntarily hooks up with the guy in the middle of the night. It just doesn't make sense.

[@anthonyjenkins2001]

I thought the same thing. I think 48 Hours left out some important info or something. I'd go so far as to speculate that the guy wasn't really into the neonazi stuff, he just joined just to be edgy or something. Kinda like how kids get involved in that whole satanic stuff just cos they think it's cool, but they're really NOT into it. It's all for show. And just cos someone draws guns in their notebook doesn't make them weird or crazy. 🙄 I would say what I really think but youtube would censor this comment

[@WilliamsPinch]

You don’t have any friends who hooked up with terrible, abusive people. Desire often overrides judgement.

[@maryturner3473]

There's definitely something missing.

[@littlelou1811]

So look up the story yourselves. It's not just 48 hours who has the information on this case

[@anthonyjenkins2001]

@littlelou1811 48 Hours left out the fact that Blaze was trying to "out" that dude from what I've read.

[@chy8427]

“I don’t even want to know [why] because I won’t like the answer” - what the mother said is so real, because no reason will ever be good enough

[@alainabilow]

Yes, and whatever answer they would get is coming from someone's insane and skewed view of the world.

[@rabymaidahsavage258]

God have mercy on us humans

[@antonglas7488]

That Sam was sickening to look up, I can`t understand why blaze would want to hookup with that creep.

[@mightycirus]

The last defense of a criminal is to destroy someone’s reputation and character when he is caught what a coward

[@wendythompson6323]

That guy is so creepy. Society doesn't need to see his face again.

[@LM-qs6eq]

I watched Blaze's story on 48 hours. He sounded like a wonderful, ambitious young man who had a great life ahead of him. God bless you and those who loved him. May your wonderful memories of him comfort you all your days and nights. My deepest sympathies.

[@janesmith9024]

I am so sorry to the family. I don't think the killer should blame anyone but himself. It was certainly not his parents' fault. He is now in the right place in jail. It is dreadful he was allowed to cover his face in his hair in court - couldn't they shave his head or put a hair band on to keep it back before trial? Blaze sounds a wonderful boy, just having had his first term at college with his whole life ahead of him. The attempt to blame Blaze is utterly disgusting. May Blaze rest in peace and I hope his wonderful family can find some kind of peace themselves. The boy who has no friends as a teenager (there are vast numbers of them) are the ones we somehow need to reach in schools - to find the one hobby or thing that can bring them out of the dark into the light but it's not easy.

[@WilliamsPinch]

A lot of parents should be blaming themselves. They coddle their kids and refuse to hold them accountable for anything.

[@skysix5733]

I think the defendant murdered Blaze because he was gay and Jewish. I also think his defense was cowardly. But I also believe the defendant should have gotten life without parole, no matter what. I think if you assault someone and it is determined to be a hate crime, then absolutely enhance the sentence, but I don’t want anybody who stabbed someone twenty some times in the neck ever getting out.

[@donnacrozier2003]

Where's Sam's parents?

[@Mansikkacake]

Probably Sams parents are so angry at their son for meeting gay guy on tinder so they dont wanna support him?

[@AidaShawJ.D.]

@@Mansikkacakethat’s just you! Maybe they are heartbroken. Did you watch the beginning? They spoke in the beginning! Ignorance galore!

[@AidaShawJ.D.]

At the start of the show. Did you watch?

[@Firode9856]

39:56 leaving the courthouse

[@vincentcohoe5746]

hurring from the court house shamefully.

[@LexyTheEbikeQueen]

His mom is so beautiful

[@clc5369]

I feel like vomiting. That killer is pure rubbish that should be rot in jail!!!!

[@junemarshall-kingsley566]

I feel sorry for the other prisoners who will have to look at him and deal with his craziness. That is the true price they will pay for whatever crimes they committed.

[@darondatoole7439]

He was such a sweet cutie.

[@theronaldophotography4971]

Very sad and tragic..I'm sobbing watching this, and when I heard the word "guilty".. Immense tears of joy.. Sending my prayers to Blaze's family, and to all the victims of hate crimes around the world.

[@LegendsofCrime84]

"The killer seems to have a lot of unresolved issues, and it’s scary how they projected that onto their victim

[@alainabilow]

Indeed

[@kennethsouthard6042]

At this point in his life after what he did and given his sentence, I could care less whether or not he ever resolves them.

[@SKinSKorea]

His parents couldn’t deal with him being gay, so he becomes a murderer?!?!

[@kaybee4132]

Here's my take from this very short video: Unfortunately, what Sam Woodward didn't receive from his family in terms of support/encouragement for his needs as a child, he found in a racist organization who made him feel welcome -- and he internalized self-hate. He didn't know how to deal with any emotions he may be having about his sexuality -- but he felt it wasn't going to be accepted. Recall, video mentioned he and Blaze met on Tinder. For whatever reason they met that night, things went off the rails, and Woodward lost it. That's why I I don't think it was premeditated, but you just can't go around handling issues by killing. Was he a part of this radical hate group? Yes! And for that and all he learned, Woodward is going to spend the rest of his life probably fearing for his own life - daily. 😕 What I came away with: -Sam is now a murderer - Sam still has issues to contend with - Blaze's light ✨️ is still shining - Society has got to figure out how to love each other despite differences and TALK to each other about the hard things. Two kids are gone from society because of fear on several levels -- sometimes starting from within. Praying for the Bernstein and Woodward families...and all of us. 🙏

[@ddcrowley]

Wow. During the first half of the episode, I thought, 'Man, that guy looks like an absolute neanderthal.' Then I saw him show up in court and was convinced he's not completely human. I'd really like to know more about his parents and how they raised/treated him - I have a feeling they created this monster. I'm certainly not pardoning what he did but I believe he was allowed/made to become this. Also, this may be the first episode of 48 Hours where I actually cried. Seeing the grandfather cry got me emotional. He was hoping his grandson would be 'normal', but he turned out to be extraordinary. And the 'footnote in history' comment - absolutely sick burn, old man. I love it.

[@candydeville]

Charles manson? More like cousin it

[@sarahsilverlight2064]

I was thinking Unabomber, but come to think of it (No pun intended, lol), he DOES look like Cousin It! 😂😂😂