Singer David Anthony Burke, known by his stage name D4vd, lost his high-profile legal team and will now be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office in a case where he is charged with killing, sexually abusing, and dismembering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. According to multiple reports, Burke entered a new not guilty plea at a hearing on Monday.
Key Takeaways
Singer D4vd has lost his high-profile legal team and will now be represented by public defenders in his murder trial. The indie-pop singer pleaded not guilty to charges of killing, sexually abusing, and dismembering a 14-year-old girl.
- Singer David Anthony Burke (D4vd) loses private lawyers
- Charged with murder, sexual abuse, and mutilation of remains
- Public defender takes over the case after financial evaluation
- Next court date set for October; trial date not yet scheduled
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 5 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Team Change | Broad Agreement | Burke's private lawyers withdrew, public defenders took over | |
| Charges Against Burke | Broad Agreement | Murder, sexual abuse of a minor, mutilation of remains | |
| Next Court Date | Broad Agreement | October 2026 status conference scheduled |
Legal Team Change
Broad AgreementBurke's private lawyers withdrew, public defenders took over
Charges Against Burke
Broad AgreementMurder, sexual abuse of a minor, mutilation of remains
Next Court Date
Broad AgreementOctober 2026 status conference scheduled
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The reasons for the departure of his private attorneys—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter—are unclear. The defense team stated that they continue to support Burke but did not provide specific details about their withdrawal. According to Reuters, Burke's lead lawyer, Blair Berk, told the judge that Burke requested new representation but did not specify why.
The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office took over the case after conducting a financial evaluation and determining that Burke qualified for court-appointed legal representation. This decision has raised questions given Burke's reported earnings of at least $10 million from his music career between 2023 and 2025, as noted by PBS News.
The next court date is set for October, with no trial date yet scheduled. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo denied a request to delay the arraignment and demanded a plea on Monday. The prosecution has stated that they are ready to prove all three charges beyond a reasonable doubt, according to CBS News.
The case involves allegations that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez after she threatened to expose their sexual relationship, which began when she was 13. Prosecutors allege that he stabbed her to death and dismembered her body in his Hollywood Hills home. Her remains were found in the trunk of his Tesla in September 2025.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 5 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.