D4vd's lawyers withdraw from case in teen's murder; singer now being represented by public defender
ABC7 New York • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, is now represented by a public defender after his private lawyers withdrew ahead of his second arraignment on charges including murder and sexual abuse related to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- Despite the defense's request to postpone the arraignment, the judge proceeded, and D4vd pleaded not guilty to murder with special circumstances, sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains; his next court date is October 19.
- The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office stated the change in defense counsel will not affect prosecution and indicated the death penalty remains a possibility, pending submission of mitigation evidence from the defense.
- Legal analysts suggest that with no active death penalty in California, a plea deal is unlikely, and the prosecution faces challenges proving premeditation, while the defense may argue the case is largely circumstantial.
- Celeste's family disputes Burke’s indigency status, accusing him of hiding assets despite his significant earnings, and expressed frustration that taxpayers may be funding the defense of a wealthy individual accused of a brutal crime.
