Inverse reputations now churn the courtroom in Los Angeles, as the celebrity lawyers who had been retained by US singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, have chosen to withdraw from the murder case. The decision leaves the singer under a public defender’s docket for the trial of the killing of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a case that has already evolved into a sensational court saga.
The singer first pleaded not guilty to first‑degree murder, child sexual abuse and mutilation of human remains charges on Monday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Prosecutors allege in the criminal complaint that he killed Hernandez after her threats to expose his relationship with a minor, which would have ruined his twenties‑count music career.
The case will be re‑heard at a pre‑trial hearing on 19 October. The former counsel—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter—issued a statement to the BBC that the defendants’ rights as a “qualified for appointed counsel” had been met by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, which now holds the case. The attorneys said they remain ready to support the singer’s defence, but the court spokesman warned that “the change in attorneys could require additional time to review the evidence” and may lead to the filing of a motion to dismiss.
Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel confirmed that the singer was entitled to a defence that “takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.” Meanwhile, Los Angeles County’s top prosecutor, Nathan Hochman, remains “ready to proceed” with the case, acknowledging that “outside the courtroom…the switch could delay proceedings.” He warned that the singer’s case could see the motion to dismiss or other procedural delays.
The charges include a special circumstance of financial gain that could make Burke such a death‑sentence‑eligible offender in California. Prosecutors have presented text evidence showing the teen’s threats and allegations of abuse, including a threat‣ that she would damage his music career if she were to reveal the alleged relationship. The case is developing on a timeline that likely will push beyond the scheduled trial until the new defense team familiarises itself with the case record.
For more detail, the original story can be read at BBC News.
