Samuel Woodward (left), 20, of Newport Beach, California, has pled guilty in the stabbing death of his former high school classmate Blaze Bernstein (right). He was arrested early last month on suspicion of homicide and charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement of the personal use of a knife, although questions still remain whether or not he should be charged with a hate crime.

via New York Daily News:

Authorities have not revealed a motive for the killing. But a source, who spoke to the Los Angeles Times on condition of anonymity, said Woodward claimed that Bernstein had kissed him.

Bernstein, who was home visiting his parents on winter break from the University of Pennsylvania, was found with more than 20 stab wounds.

If convicted of the murder charge, Woodward could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. He has also been charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement of using a knife.

Woodward is allegedly an “avowed Nazi” and a member of Atomwaffen Division, an extremist neo-Nazi group.

He was held on $5 million bail, which was raised from $2 million after the judge deemed him a flight risk.

He will return to court on March 2, according to reports.

More on that story as it develops.

And for more on the Blaze Bernstein murder, including an in-depth analysis of whether or not his death constitutes a hate crime, read this.