Singer D4vd Enters Fresh Not Guilty Plea as Private Lawyers Withdraw
D4vd pleads not guilty again after losing private counsel; public defender takes over as death penalty decision looms.
Singer D4vd, legally named David Anthony Burke, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday and entered a fresh plea of not guilty to all charges against him. The plea comes after his high-profile private legal team withdrew from the case, leaving the indie-pop artist to be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that Burke entered not guilty pleas on three counts: first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of human remains. The charges stem from the discovery of the teenager's dismembered body in Burke's car earlier this year.
The change in legal representation was confirmed during the arraignment. Blair Berk, along with colleagues Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, were granted permission to withdraw after the judge found Burke qualified for court-appointed counsel. The Public Defender's Office stated it had conducted a thorough financial evaluation and determined Burke eligible, though it did not provide specifics. This has raised questions, as testimony from Burke's financial handlers previously indicated he earned at least $10 million from his music between 2023 and 2025.
Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel has taken over the defense. Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo denied Kandeel's initial request to delay the arraignment, insisting on the plea being entered on Monday. A status conference has been scheduled for October 19, with a pre-trial hearing that could potentially lead to a trial within 90 days if the defense signals readiness.
District Attorney Hochman noted that his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty. He mentioned that Burke's previous counsel had been invited to submit a mitigation packet—a document outlining reasons against capital punishment—but none has been received. Hochman indicated that additional time would be granted for new counsel to prepare such a submission, but stressed that the office is prepared to prove all charges beyond a reasonable doubt.