In California, a man named Samuel Woodward, now 27, has been sentenced to life in prison. His crime? Killing a young college student named Blaze Bernstein. Blaze was a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, known for his kindness and openness about his sexuality and religion. Samuel Woodward was found guilty of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement. Why did he do it? Well, Blaze was gay and Jewish, and it seems Samuel had a problem with that.

The story begins with a simple night out. Samuel and Blaze went to a park in Lake Forest. But Blaze never came home. His family found his belongings in his room and searched for him. Authorities got involved, and it was discovered that Samuel had been talking to Blaze on Snapchat. Days later, Blaze's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been brutally stabbed.

Samuel's trial was long and complex. The question wasn't if he did it, but why. Prosecutors said Samuel was part of a hate group called Atomwaffen Division. They also found hateful materials in his home, along with a bloodied knife. Samuel's lawyer said he was confused about his sexuality, growing up in a conservative family that criticized homosexuality.

Blaze's family and friends filled the courtroom, wearing T-shirts that said "Blaze it Forward. " They wanted to remember Blaze for the good he did, not the hate that took his life. His mother hopes that while Samuel "rots in prison, " she and others will keep Blaze's memory alive with acts of kindness.

The tragic death of a college student: A case of hate and intolerance

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