Singer D4vd ordered to stand trial in killing of 14-year-old girl
After a five-day preliminary hearing, the judge ruled there is enough evidence to take D4vd’s murder case to trial. The singer has pleaded not guilty.
Editor’s note: This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
A major change has been made to singer D4vd’s legal representation as the murder case against him in the death of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez moves forward.
The 21-year-old, born David Anthony Burke, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder with additional special circumstances, lewd and lascivious sexual acts with an individual under 14 years old and mutilation of human remains, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday, Aug. 31.
At the arraignment, Burke’s lawyers withdrew in a shocking move, leaving him with a public defender. Attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said in a statement to USA TODAY that the decision came “after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel.”
“We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges,” they added. “We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him.”
D4vd allegedly murdered Celeste Rivas Hernandez to protect his career
Burke, who was arrested on April 16, is accused of killing then-14-year-old Rivas Hernandez and dismembering her body in his garage in April 2025 after she threatened to expose their relationship – which allegedly began in 2022 when she was 11 and he was 16, according to his indictment. Prosecutors say Burke believed the revelation would have damaged his career ahead of the release of his debut album that month.
Rivas Hernandez’s remains were found five months later in September in an impounded Tesla registered to Burke at a Los Angeles tow yard. Her official cause of death was ruled “two penetrating wounds” to her right abdomen and left chest, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner announced April 22.
Hochman explained the next hearing has been set for Oct. 19, which will begin a 90-day period where the court can order a trial “if the defense is ready to proceed.”
However, he said there is a chance this time frame will be extended so the public defender can “take additional time to review all the evidence,” as well as the possibility that Burke’s new counsel will file a motion to dismiss one or all charges.
“The district attorney’s office is ready to proceed to prove all three charges beyond a reasonable doubt, leading eventually to a sentence of life without the possibility of parole, or if we so choose, the death penalty,” Hochman continued.
He said his office has not yet determined whether to seek the death penalty, as he is waiting to receive a mitigation packet of factors to consider for why not to do so. Hochman said he will give Burke’s new lawyers additional time if they choose to present the packet.
“Often that goes through a defendant’s background, any type of situations that they’ve experienced during their life. It might have additional commentary of experts or friends or family,” Hochman added.
Burke’s arraignment came one month after his preliminary hearing in July, where prosecutors presented evidence, including graphic photos and details of the crime. A judge ultimately ruled the case will go to trial.
Hochman has alleged that the murder was premeditated and announced on April 20 that Burke’s charges have additional special circumstances of “lying in wait, committing this crime for financial gain or murdering a witness in an investigation.”