D4vd Drops His Private Legal Team for Los Angeles County Public Defenders as the Singer Faces Murder Charges Tied to the Death of Teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez

LOS ANGELES, CA — Singer David Anthony Burke, better known as D4vd, is now being represented by the Los Angeles County public defender’s office in the murder case centered on the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

At a Monday court hearing, Burke asked to replace the private attorneys who had been handling his defense for months, and Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo approved the change. His former lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, had been steering the case through a fast-moving pretrial process.

The switch came after a sealed in-chambers discussion about the reason for the change. A spokeswoman for the public defender’s office said Burke’s finances were thoroughly reviewed and he was found eligible for representation.

A fast-moving case built on text messages and forensic evidence

Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors accuse him of sexually assaulting Hernandez, then killing and dismembering her in an effort to hide the abuse. If he is convicted as charged, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

During a preliminary hearing in July, prosecutors presented a week of evidence that they say included years of explicit text messages, receipts for items that could be used in body disposal and forensic testing that found blood in Burke’s garage. Investigators also suspect a chainsaw was used to sever Hernandez’s limbs, with blood allegedly collected in a kiddie pool.

Prosecutors further allege that Burke amputated two of Hernandez’s fingers to conceal matching tattoos they had gotten together. The evidence also showed, prosecutors said, that Hernandez became pregnant and was pushed to get an abortion.

What Burke’s old lawyers said and why the public defender move matters

Burke’s former lawyers did not explain why he sought the change, but they said in a written statement that they still support him and were glad the county public defender’s office had taken over. Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel said the office recognizes the loss of life involved, but will give Burke a defense that carefully examines the evidence.

The case has drawn attention not only because Burke is a rising music figure but also because he was signed to a multimillion-dollar recording deal when Hernandez died. Interscope later dropped him, though prosecutors have said he had already earned millions from the contract.

The shift also comes after a hearing strategy that pushed the case forward quickly. The next court date is set for Oct. 19, and Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said he has not decided whether to seek capital punishment, though his office is prepared to proceed.

A rare legal reset in another high-profile Los Angeles murder case

The move is the second time this year that the county public defender has stepped into a celebrity murder case in Los Angeles after a high-profile private lawyer withdrew from another headline-grabbing matter.

In Burke’s case, the defense had already identified weaknesses prosecutors may still have to overcome, including the absence of the alleged dismemberment tools and the fact that no one witnessed the killing. A medical examiner also acknowledged under cross-examination that the victim could not be absolutely ruled out as someone holding the weapon or attempting self-harm.

For now, the prosecution says the attorney switch will not change its plans. Hochman said his office remains ready to prove all three charges beyond a reasonable doubt as the case heads toward its next hearing.

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