Defense lawyers for singer D4vd withdraw from murder case

Celebrity attorneys representing US musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, have withdrawn from his murder trial. Burke has been assigned a public defender to defend him for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to Burke's address.

Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to the charges in a Los Angeles court on Monday. A judge ruled that Burke will stand trial for murder. Prosecutors claim Burke stabbed the teen after years of sexual abuse, dismembered her body, and did so out of fear that she would expose his relationship with a minor and ruin his multi-million dollar music career.

Lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter informed the BBC that Burke qualified for appointed counsel. The public defender's office has taken over his representation and will provide him with a competent defense team. One of the lawyers, Walid Kandeel, expressed commitment to providing Burke with a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.

Burke will face charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and child sexual abuse, which could lead to the death penalty. The charges include special circumstances due to financial gain. During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented evidence of threats made by Hernandez on April 22, 2025, which included a text message where she threatened to kill Burke and ruin his career.

The following day, Hernandez visited Burke's Hollywood home and was stabbed by him after arriving in an Uber.