{
  "id": 4693487,
  "title": "US singer D4vd’s celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/us-singer-d4vds-celebrity-lawyers-withdraw-from-murder-case-4693487",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T18:12:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/entertainment/d4vds-celebrity-lawyers-withdraw/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Celebrity attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter have withdrawn from representing US musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial. The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is now facing charges for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in a Tesla registered to his address in September 2025. Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday. A judge ordered a pretrial hearing for October 19.\n\nThe celebrity lawyers cited the court's approval to withdraw from the case, citing that Burke qualifies for appointed counsel. They expressed their continued support for Burke and his defense against the serious charges. Berk, who has represented high-profile figures such as Mel Gibson and Harvey Weinstein, stated that Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances into account and thoroughly examines the evidence. His deputy public defender, Walid Kandeel, emphasized that Burke is entitled to a defense that considers his situation and meticulously investigates the evidence. They are committed to providing him with this defense.\n\nThe Los Angeles County's top prosecutor, Nathan Hochman, affirmed that his office is prepared to proceed with the case against Burke. He noted that the change in lawyers could potentially delay proceedings, necessitate extra time to review the evidence, or lead to a motion to dismiss the case. Hochman stated that they are prepared for zealous representation by the defense.",
  "summary": "The celebrity lawyers hired to represent US musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial have withdrawn from his case. The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been appointed a public defender to mount his defence for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, whose remains were found in September 2025 in a […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "US singer D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/us-singer-d4vds-celebrity-lawyers-withdraw-from-murder-case",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:00:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}