D4vd Loses Top Lawyers as Murder Case Takes Dramatic Turn

D4vd’s murder case has taken a major turn after his high-profile defense lawyers withdrew and a Los Angeles public defender took over, just as the singer faces trial over the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

D4vd, the 21-year-old musician whose real name is David Anthony Burke, returned to a Los Angeles courtroom Monday facing a dramatically different legal team.

His prominent private attorneys — including veteran celebrity lawyer Blair Berk — have withdrawn from his defense. A lawyer from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has now taken over the case after the court determined Burke qualified for appointed counsel.

The change comes at a critical moment. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, child sexual abuse and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14. A judge ruled last month that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for him to stand trial.

The reason for the private lawyers’ departure has not been publicly explained.

In a statement reported by the BBC and echoed in other coverage, Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said the court granted their request to withdraw after Burke was found eligible for appointed counsel. They also said they continued to support his defense.

That sudden change has placed a new spotlight on one of the most closely watched celebrity criminal cases in Los Angeles.

Key Points

• D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty.
• His high-profile private lawyers have withdrawn from the murder case.
• A Los Angeles County public defender now represents him.
• Burke is charged in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
• A judge previously found enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
• Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez and later dismembered her body; Burke denies the charges.
• The prosecution is still considering whether to seek the death penalty.
• His next major court proceeding is scheduled for October.

Why D4vd’s Defense Team Changed

The switch is unusual largely because of the stature of Burke’s former legal team.

Berk is one of the most recognizable defense lawyers in the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has represented a long list of high-profile clients, including actors and musicians involved in some of Hollywood’s most consequential legal battles.

AP reported that Berk and her colleagues did not publicly explain why they were leaving Burke’s case. The court accepted their withdrawal and assigned deputy public defender Walid Kandeel to represent him.

Kandeel now faces the enormous task of stepping into a case that has already generated extensive evidence, a lengthy preliminary hearing and intense public attention.

In a statement, Kandeel said Burke was entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.

That is a crucial distinction in a case where prosecutors have made serious allegations but where Burke remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

D4vd Pleads Not Guilty Again

Monday’s hearing also formally reset the case after the preliminary proceedings.

Burke entered another not guilty plea, as is standard following a judge’s decision to send a defendant to trial after a preliminary hearing.

The court scheduled a further hearing for October. There is not yet a trial date.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the change in lawyers would not alter the prosecution’s approach.

According to AP, Hochman said his office remained prepared to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He also acknowledged that changing defense teams could affect the timing of the proceedings as the new lawyers review the extensive evidence.

The prosecution is also still considering whether to seek the death penalty. Burke is potentially eligible because prosecutors have alleged special circumstances in the case, although no final decision on that issue had been announced at Monday’s hearing.

What Prosecutors Allege Happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez

The allegations against Burke are extraordinarily serious.

Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez in April 2025 after a dispute over their relationship and after she threatened to expose him.

They allege that the teenager had been sexually abused and that Burke feared disclosure could damage his rapidly growing music career.

During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented text messages they said were exchanged between Burke and Rivas Hernandez shortly before her death.

They also alleged that Burke sent an Uber to collect her and that she arrived at his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025.

Prosecutors say she was killed after entering the property.

Rivas Hernandez’s remains were later discovered inside a Tesla associated with Burke. Authorities found the vehicle in September 2025, months after the alleged killing, while Burke was away on tour.

The prosecution has also presented evidence it says connects the victim to Burke’s home, including DNA evidence and items investigators believe were used after the killing. Reuters reported that prosecutors alleged Burke purchased equipment online under a false name and used an inflatable pool in connection with the dismemberment.

Those claims remain allegations to be tested at trial.

Defense Has Challenged the Murder Evidence

Burke’s previous defense team disputed the prosecution’s interpretation of the evidence.

During the preliminary hearing, attorney Marilyn Bednarski argued that prosecutors had not established the required intent for a murder charge.

The defense also challenged the medical evidence surrounding the teenager’s death and questioned whether the prosecution had demonstrated that Burke deliberately intended to kill her.

A judge ultimately rejected the defense argument at the preliminary stage and found sufficient probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.

That ruling does not amount to a finding of guilt.

The upcoming trial, if it proceeds, will require prosecutors to meet a substantially higher burden: proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Money Question Adds Another Twist

Perhaps the most unexpected element of Monday’s hearing was the financial question surrounding Burke’s eligibility for a public defender.

AP reported that testimony in an earlier hearing indicated Burke earned at least $10 million from his music career between 2023 and 2025.

That figure has raised obvious questions about why he qualifies for court-appointed representation.

The Public Defender’s Office, however, said it had completed a financial evaluation and determined that Burke was eligible for its services. The precise financial circumstances behind that determination have not been publicly detailed.

For a musician who only a few years ago appeared to be on an extraordinary upward trajectory, the contrast is striking.

His case has moved from the world of viral music success into one of Los Angeles’ most closely scrutinized criminal proceedings.

From TikTok Breakout to a Murder Trial

Before the criminal allegations transformed his public image, D4vd had built a remarkable career largely through the internet.

He first attracted attention as a teenager, developing an audience through platforms including TikTok, SoundCloud and Spotify.

His 2022 song “Romantic Homicide” became a global streaming success and helped turn him from an online discovery into a commercially successful recording artist.

He later performed at Coachella and signed with Interscope Records.

That rise makes the prosecution’s alleged motive particularly significant.

Prosecutors contend that Burke feared his relationship with Rivas Hernandez could destroy his career if exposed. AP reported that the teenager sent a message threatening to damage his career shortly before her death.

But whether that alleged motive can ultimately be proven is a question for the criminal proceedings ahead.

A Career Story Now Overshadowed by Courtroom Questions

The contrast between D4vd’s public image and the allegations now hanging over him is difficult to ignore.

His music career was built around emotional, intimate songs that resonated with a young online audience. His rise was unusually fast, moving from bedroom-style internet releases to major festivals and a multimillion-dollar recording career.

Now, instead of a new musical release defining his next chapter, his future is being shaped by court hearings.

The withdrawal of his celebrity lawyers adds another layer of uncertainty.

It does not establish that Burke is guilty, nor does it by itself indicate that his legal position has weakened. The former attorneys have not publicly given a reason for their departure, and the court has formally transferred representation to the public defender’s office.

What it does mean is that the next phase of the case will unfold under a new defense team — one that must absorb months of investigation, extensive forensic evidence and testimony already presented in court.

For prosecutors, the message is straightforward: the case is moving forward.

For Burke’s new lawyers, the challenge is equally clear: examine every piece of evidence and build a defense for a client who continues to deny the charges.

And for the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the proceedings remain centered on a 14-year-old girl whose death has already become the subject of a deeply disturbing criminal investigation.

The next major court date is expected in October, when the case moves another step toward trial.

What Happens Next in the D4vd Murder Case?

The immediate priority for Burke’s new defense team will be reviewing the evidence and preparing for the next stage of proceedings.

The prosecution is expected to continue building its case while the defense examines the forensic, digital and witness evidence already presented during the preliminary hearing.

No trial date has yet been set.

The case therefore remains at a critical but unresolved stage: a judge has determined there is enough evidence for a trial, but no jury has yet decided whether Burke is guilty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did D4vd’s lawyers withdraw?

The attorneys asked the court to withdraw, and the court granted the request after determining Burke qualified for appointed counsel. The lawyers have not publicly explained a more specific reason for their departure.

Who represents D4vd now?

Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel has taken over Burke’s defense through the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office.

Is D4vd going to trial?

Yes. A Los Angeles judge ruled in July that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial. A trial date has not yet been set.

Has D4vd pleaded guilty?

No. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Could D4vd face the death penalty?

Potentially. Prosecutors have alleged special circumstances that could make Burke eligible for the death penalty, but Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the office was still deciding whether to pursue it.

The Question Now Hanging Over the Case

D4vd’s legal team has changed, but the central question has not:

Can prosecutors turn their extensive allegations and evidence into a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt?

That question will ultimately be answered in court — not on social media, not through headlines and not by public opinion.

For now, the case moves forward with a new defense team and a young musician facing the most consequential legal battle of his life.

What do you think about the sudden change in D4vd’s legal team — does it raise questions about the case, or is it simply a financial and legal decision?