Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Victoria survived a 1990 kidnapping, rape, and torture by feigning blindness and appealing to her captors.
- ❖DNA evidence led to the arrest of Joseph Son and Santiago Gaiton 18 years after Victoria's attack.
- ❖Joseph Son, a former MMA fighter and actor, was convicted of torture and later murdered his cellmate in prison.
- ❖Iette Rodier survived a 1996 random shooting that killed her friend Zach Snarr by playing dead.
- ❖Iette's family chose a plea deal of life without parole for killer Jorge Benvenuto to avoid a protracted death penalty trial.
- ❖Iette Rodier became a lawyer to help other crime victims, turning her trauma into advocacy.
- ❖Blaise Bernstein, a gay and Jewish college student, was murdered in 2018 by neo-Nazi Sam Woodward.
- ❖Woodward was convicted of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement, despite a defense claiming provocation.
- ❖Blaise's family launched the "Blaze it Forward" movement to promote kindness and tolerance in his memory.
Insights
1The Long Arm of DNA Justice
Victoria's case demonstrates how advancements in DNA technology can solve cold cases decades after the crime, offering victims long-delayed closure and accountability for perpetrators.
Joseph Son and Santiago Gaiton were identified 18 years after Victoria's 1990 attack through DNA evidence.
2Strategic Survival Tactics
Both Victoria and Iette employed specific, calculated actions—feigning blindness and playing dead, respectively—that were instrumental in their physical survival during their attacks.
Victoria claimed blindness to her attackers (); Iette played dead after being shot multiple times ().
3Navigating the Justice System's Complexities
The episode highlights the challenges of the legal system, from statutes of limitations requiring creative charges (torture for Victoria's case) to families weighing the emotional toll of prolonged trials against plea bargains (Iette's family).
The DA charged Victoria's attackers with torture due to the statute of limitations on rape/kidnapping (); the Snarr family chose a plea deal over the death penalty to avoid a prolonged trial ().
4Hate Crime Motivations and Defense Strategies
Sam Woodward's trial for Blaise Bernstein's murder illustrates how defense attorneys attempt to reframe hate crimes as crimes of passion or provocation, and the critical importance of proving underlying prejudice for enhanced sentencing.
The defense argued Blaise "toyed" with Sam and threatened to out him, provoking the murder (); the jury's verdict included a hate crime enhancement ().
5Post-Traumatic Growth and Advocacy
Both Victoria and Iette, after surviving horrific violence, transformed their experiences. Victoria found peace and rebuilt her life, while Iette pursued a legal career to help other crime victims, and Blaise's family started a kindness movement.
Victoria found peace and had twins after years of trauma (); Iette became a lawyer for victims (); the Bernstein family started "Blaze it Forward" ().
Lessons
- Familiarize yourself with local statutes of limitations for violent crimes, as they can significantly impact the pursuit of justice for victims.
- Consider the long-term emotional and psychological toll of prolonged legal battles when advising victims or families on plea deals versus trials.
- Support organizations focused on hate crime awareness and prevention, as prejudice-motivated violence remains a significant and evolving threat.
Notable Moments
Victoria's dog bit an attacker, creating a momentary distraction that allowed her to throw the dog to safety.
This small act of self-preservation and protection for her pet highlights the quick thinking and desperation in a life-threatening situation.
Victoria's sister described the aftermath of the attack as a "murder scene in a shower," highlighting the profound physical and emotional damage inflicted.
This vivid description conveys the brutal reality of the assault and its lasting impact on Victoria and her family.
The discovery of Joseph Son's MMA and acting career, including his role in "Austin Powers," after his DNA hit.
This revelation added a shocking layer to the perpetrator's identity, contrasting his public persona with his violent crimes.
Iette's father's advice to "play dead" if attacked by a grizzly, which she applied during her shooting.
This demonstrates how seemingly unrelated advice can become a critical survival strategy in unexpected violent encounters.
Iette's family chose a plea bargain for Jorge Benvenuto, opting for life without parole over the death penalty, to avoid prolonged appeals and media attention.
This decision illustrates the complex emotional and practical considerations families face in the justice system, prioritizing closure and dignity over maximum retribution.
Iette delivered a powerful victim statement during Benvenuto's appeal, directly asking him, "What was it like watching someone die?"
This moment represents a victim reclaiming power and confronting her attacker directly with the consequences of his actions.
Blaise Bernstein's grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, described the "horrible irony" of hate following her family again.
This connection highlights the enduring and cyclical nature of hate and prejudice across generations and cultures.
Sam Woodward's defense attempted to blame Blaise, claiming he "toyed" with Sam and threatened to out him, provoking the murder.
This defense strategy illustrates the victim-blaming tactics often employed in hate crime cases to mitigate the perpetrator's culpability.
The jury's verdict explicitly found Sam Woodward guilty of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement.
This verdict was a significant legal and symbolic victory, affirming that Blaise's murder was motivated by prejudice and setting a precedent for similar cases.
Quotes
"I fought with everything I had in my soul to not be a missing person or to have a toe tag at the end."
"I needed to think of everything I can 'cuz all I have is my mind. That's my only weapon."
"I would have given anything to switch and to let Zach be there and let them be hugging their own son."
"I do not want my son's trial turned into a freak show. He deserves more dignity than that."
"You're going to just need to mourn the event you were. She's gone and you won't ever be her again, but you have the chance to be someone a lot different and a lot better."
"We don't care who you love or who you want to be with. You deserve to be a free person with free will and love who you love and that needs to be protected."
Q&A
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