D4vd switches to public defender in murder case

US singer D4vd parted ways with his high-profile defense team Monday and will be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office as he fights murder charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The 21-year-old musician, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court for what was expected to be a routine pretrial hearing. After lawyers met with Judge Charlaine Olmedo in chambers, defense attorney Blair Berk told the court that Burke wanted appointed counsel.

“Is that your wish, Mr. Burke,” Olmedo asked.

“Yes,” Burke replied.

His new attorney, deputy public defender Walid Fouad Kandeel, had been seated in the gallery before Berk disclosed the change. Olmedo asked him to step forward and introduce himself. Kandeel requested a delay in Monday’s arraignment to give him more time to review the case, but the judge denied the request and entered not guilty pleas on Burke’s behalf. She said she would give Kandeel more time to prepare if needed.

A pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 19.

Berk said in a statement that the court granted the defense team’s request to withdraw after it was determined Burke qualified for appointed counsel.

“We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges,” Berk said. “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.”

The BBC reported that Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter were among the lawyers who withdrew from the case. Berk has previously represented Mel Gibson, Harvey Weinstein, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.

Kandeel said in a statement that Burke “is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.”

“We are committed to providing him with that defense,” he said.

Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges that include first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse, the BBC reported. Prosecutors have alleged he stabbed Hernandez after years of sexual abuse and dismembered her body. The murder charges include special circumstances tied to financial gain that could make Burke potentially eligible for the death penalty, according to the BBC.

A judge ruled July 27 that Burke must stand trial after prosecutors presented evidence at a preliminary hearing. Hernandez’s remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke’s address, the BBC reported. NBC News reported that police found her decaying remains on Sept. 8 in a Tesla impounded at Hollywood Tow after officers responded to reports of a foul odor coming from the vehicle.

Los Angeles police said Burke was arrested April 16 at a house on Marmont Avenue in the Hollywood Hills.

Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez because she had threatened to expose his relationship with a minor and damage his multimillion-dollar music career, the BBC reported. Evidence read in court included messages prosecutors said Hernandez sent on April 22, 2025, after arguments about Burke’s friendship with another girl.

“I swear to GOD I will kill u,” one text read, followed by a threat to strangle him and tell her father lies about him. “i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything,” the message continued.

The BBC reported that Hernandez went to Burke’s Hollywood home the next day in an Uber he had sent for her and that prosecutors allege he stabbed her after she arrived.

NBC News reported that text messages between Hernandez and Burke said she had become pregnant at 13 and had an abortion. In one exchange in early January 2024, Burke apologized for “putting her through this.”

As court ended Monday, Burke smiled and shook hands with Berk and Regina Peter, his former attorneys.