Singer D4vd Loses High-Profile Lawyers, Pleads Not Guilty in Teen's Killing
Singer D4vd, charged with killing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, lost his private lawyers and entered a new not guilty plea Monday.
LOS ANGELES — Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in court Monday and entered a fresh not guilty plea to charges that he killed, sexually abused, and dismembered 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The hearing also marked the departure of his high-profile private defense team, led by Blair Berk, along with colleagues Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter.
The attorneys were replaced by a lawyer from the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office after the judge granted their request to withdraw, finding that Burke qualified for court-appointed counsel. The outgoing team issued a brief statement saying they continue to support Burke's defense but declined to answer questions about the split.
The change in representation raised questions, as testimony from Burke's financial handlers at an earlier hearing indicated he earned at least $10 million from his music between 2023 and 2025. The Public Defender's Office said it conducted a thorough financial evaluation and determined he was eligible, without providing further details.
Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel has taken over the case. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo denied his request to delay the arraignment and demanded the plea on Monday. A status conference is scheduled for October, with no trial date set.
Burke faces charges of murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The charges follow a five-day evidentiary hearing in July, after which the judge ruled there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Burke is eligible for the death penalty, though District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office has not yet decided whether to pursue it.
Kandeel acknowledged the gravity of the allegations, expressing sympathy for those grieving while affirming Burke's right to a thorough defense.
The case has drawn comparisons to that of Nick Reiner, who recently lost a prominent private attorney and switched to a public defender after his funding source was cut off.