American musician D4vd has lost the team of renowned lawyers who had been engaged for his defense in the trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, after they withdrew from the case.
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David Anthony Burke, as D4vd’s real name is, pleaded not guilty on Monday before a Los Angeles court, while judicial authorities set the preliminary hearing for October 19.
The 21-year-old faces the charge of murdering Hernandez, whose body was discovered in September 2025 inside a Tesla vehicle linked to his address. According to prosecutors, Burke allegedly killed the girl after a period of sexual abuse and then dismembered her body.
The trio of lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, who had taken on the singer’s representation, told the BBC that the court had approved their withdrawal from the case. In their absence, Burke will be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office.
Blair Berk, who was leading the defense, is known for previously representing well-known figures such as Mel Gibson, Harvey Weinstein, Britney Spears, and Lindsay Lohan.
“We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges,” the lawyers said in their statement.
Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel stated that Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.
Burke is accused of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and sexual abuse of a minor. The murder charges include special circumstances related to financial gain, which could also bring the death penalty for him.
Prosecutors believe the motive for the crime was linked to Burke’s fear that Hernandez would expose his relationship with a minor and that this would damage his music career.
At the preliminary hearing, threatening messages that the 14-year-old had sent to Burke on April 22, 2025 came to light. According to the prosecution, a day later Hernandez went to Burke’s Hollywood residence in an Uber he had ordered to pick her up, and it is alleged that he attacked her with a knife as soon as she arrived.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office is prepared to continue the criminal prosecution against Burke, while acknowledging that the change in defense team may cause delays in the process.
