Indie singer D4vd replaces private counsel with public defender and pleads not guilty again
David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, entered a second not-guilty plea after his private attorneys withdrew and a public defender was appointed in the murder, sexual abuse and mutilation case involving 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Los Angeles – Singer David Anthony Burke, who performs under the name D4vd, entered a new not-guilty plea on Monday after his private legal team withdrew from the case. A court-appointed public defender, Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel, took over representation following a judge’s finding that Burke qualified for a public defender despite his reported earnings.
The former attorneys, led by Blair Berk, issued a brief statement saying the judge granted their request to withdraw after the financial eligibility determination. They declined to comment further on the reasons for their departure.
Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo had previously ruled that sufficient evidence exists for Burke to stand trial on charges of murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. She denied a request to delay the arraignment, set a new plea hearing for Monday, and scheduled a status conference for October. No trial date has been fixed.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that the prosecution is still deciding whether to seek the death penalty, but affirmed that the office will pursue the three charges "beyond a reasonable doubt." He added that the change in counsel is unlikely to affect the case’s trajectory, though it may cause procedural delays.
In a statement, Deputy Public Defender Kandeel said, "We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving. At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence."
Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Rivas Hernandez after she threatened to expose alleged abuse. Her dismembered body was reportedly found in the trunk of Burke’s vehicle in September. The case remains under investigation as the legal process moves forward.