US singer D4vd’s celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case
The high-profile legal team hired to defend US musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial has withdrawn from the case.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has now been assigned a public defender to represent him in the case involving the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teenager’s remains were discovered in September 2025 inside a Tesla registered to Burke’s address.
Burke, 21, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.
A judge ruled last month that Burke would stand trial. Prosecutors allege that he stabbed Hernandez following years of sexual abuse before dismembering her body. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for October 19.
The lawyers who previously represented Burke—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter—said in a statement that the court had approved their request to withdraw from the case and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office to take over his defence.
The attorneys said Burke qualified for court-appointed representation and expressed their continued support for him as he faces the serious allegations.
Berk, who headed the defence team, has represented several high-profile clients, including actor Mel Gibson, film producer Harvey Weinstein, singer Britney Spears and actress Lindsay Lohan.
Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel said Burke is entitled to a defence that carefully considers his circumstances and thoroughly examines the evidence against him. He added that the public defender’s office was committed to providing that representation.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said outside court on Monday that prosecutors were prepared to move forward with the case.
However, he acknowledged that the change in defence counsel could potentially delay proceedings, give the new legal team additional time to review the evidence, or lead to a motion seeking dismissal of the case.
Burke had previously pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse. He returned to court on Monday as the charges were formally presented and entered his not-guilty plea again.
The murder case includes special-circumstance allegations involving financial gain, which could make Burke eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
Prosecutors claim Burke killed Hernandez after she allegedly threatened to expose his relationship with a minor, potentially damaging his multimillion-dollar music career.
Evidence presented during a preliminary hearing included threatening messages Hernandez allegedly sent Burke on April 22, 2025, following an argument concerning his friendship with another girl.
Prosecutors allege that Hernandez travelled to Burke’s Hollywood residence the following day in an Uber he had arranged for her and that he stabbed her after she arrived.
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