US singer D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case
The singer, 21, will be now represented by a public defender in the murder trial of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He has pleaded not guilty.
The high-profile legal team representing American musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial has withdrawn from the case.
The artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has now been assigned a public defender to handle his defense. Burke is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to his address.
Burke, 21, entered a not guilty plea to the murder charges in a Los Angeles court on Monday. A judge determined last month that he would face trial for murder.
Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed the teenager following years of sexual abuse, and subsequently dismembered her body. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 19.
In a statement to the BBC, lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter confirmed that the court granted their request to withdraw from the case and has appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office to represent the singer. The statement indicated that D4vd "qualified for appointed counsel."
"We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges," they stated. "We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him."
Berk, who led the defense team, has previously represented notable figures such as US actor Mel Gibson, film mogul Harvey Weinstein, singer Britney Spears, and actress Lindsay Lohan.
Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel stated that Burke "is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence." He added, "We are committed to providing him with that defense."
Burke had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and child sexual abuse. He returned to court on Monday for the formal reading of the charges against him and to re-enter his plea.
The murder charges include special circumstances related to financial gain, which could potentially make Burke eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors contend that Burke killed Hernandez because she threatened to expose his relationship with a minor and jeopardize his multi-million dollar music career.
Evidence presented in Los Angeles court during the preliminary hearing included threats Hernandez made against him on April 22, 2025, stemming from arguments about his friendship with another girl. One expletive-laden text from Hernandez read, "I swear to GOD I will kill u," followed by a threat to strangle him and fabricate stories to her father. The text continued, "i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything."
The following day, Hernandez traveled to Burke's Hollywood residence in an Uber he had arranged for her pickup. Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed her upon her arrival.