Celebrity Defence Team Steps Down from US Singer D4vd’s Capital Murder Case

LOS ANGELES — The high-profile legal battle surrounding American singer D4vd took a dramatic turn this week after his team of celebrity defence attorneys withdrew from his ongoing murder trial.

The 21-year-old pop star, real name David Anthony Burke, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Monday to re-enter a plea of not guilty to charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

However, Burke sat alongside a newly assigned public defender following the departure of his private legal team, led by renowned Hollywood attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter.

Berk, who has previously represented high-profile clients ranging from Reese Witherspoon to Harvey Weinstein, was granted permission by the judge to step down. The outgoing team declined to state publicly why they were withdrawing, though they issued a statement maintaining their support for Burke and expressing gratitude that the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office had stepped in.

A Financial Mystery and Taxpayer Outrage

The sudden transition to public defence representation has sparked significant scrutiny regarding the artist's financial status.

Burke, whose breakthrough hits catapulted him to international fame, previously disclosed earnings of at least $10 million (£7.6 million) between 2023 and 2025. Public defenders are typically reserved for indigent defendants who cannot afford private legal counsel, raising questions as to how the multi-millionaire singer qualifies for state-funded assistance.

The Public Defender’s Office stated that Burke underwent a thorough financial evaluation and was deemed eligible for their services. Nevertheless, the family of the victim, 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, released a scathing statement through their attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, questioning whether the musician has hidden or transferred his assets.

"The residents of Los Angeles County should be outraged because it will be the taxpayers that are picking up the tab to defend this millionaire," the family’s statement read. "We as a family only want justice for Celeste and for whoever is responsible to face the full force of the law."

Chilling Allegations Move Towards Trial

Burke was arrested in Hollywood in April 2026 after authorities uncovered the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed the teenager inside his residence after she threatened to expose an illicit sexual relationship that threatened to derail his music career. State attorneys presented evidence showing that Burke allegedly used a false identity to purchase equipment online—including two chainsaws, an inflatable pool, a body bag, and a shovel—to dispose of the body.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that the change in defence representation will not slow down the prosecution, noting that the state is actively considering whether to seek the death penalty.

Key Case Details — State of California v. David Anthony Burke

New Defence Vows Thorough Examination

Taking over the case, Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel offered his sympathies to the victim's family while pledging to rigorously challenge the state's evidence.

"We recognise the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving," Kandeel said outside court. "At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defence."

Kandeel requested a postponement of Monday's proceedings to allow his team time to review the extensive case files, but the presiding judge denied the request. Burke remains held without bail ahead of his next scheduled hearing on 19th October.