Blab News
D4vd Loses Private Counsel, Public Defender Takes Over Ahead of Murder Trial
Singer David Anthony Burke—known onstage as D4vd—has moved from a high‑profile private legal team to a public defender after his attorneys withdrew on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. The change comes as the 21‑year‑old faces a second arraignment on murder and related charges tied to the death of 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Burke’s former counsel, including Blair Berk and Marilynne Bednarski, were granted a withdrawal without a stated reason. Public defender Walid Kandeel stepped in to represent the singer. In a brief statement, Kandeel acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and affirmed his commitment to a thorough defense. He also requested a postponement of the arraignment, but the judge denied the motion.
During the arraignment, Burke pleaded not guilty to three counts: first‑degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of a human body. The judge set the next court date for Oct. 19, 2026.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the change in representation would not affect the prosecution’s strategy. “As soon as the defense announces ‘ready to proceed,’ the DA’s office is ready to proceed,” Hochman told reporters. He reiterated that the prosecution is still awaiting a mitigation packet from Burke’s defense before deciding whether to seek the death penalty, a possibility that remains open under California law.
California’s death‑penalty system is under a moratorium imposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019. While the state retains the legal framework for capital punishment, executions have not occurred since 2006. Hochman noted that the DA’s office would consider the mitigation packet and aggravating factors before determining whether to pursue a death sentence.
Legal analysts have weighed in on the implications of a public defender’s involvement. Lou Shapiro suggested financial constraints may have prompted the withdrawal, noting that Burke’s new representation could influence the likelihood of a plea deal. Neama Rahmani countered that, given California’s moratorium, the death penalty is unlikely, and therefore Burke has little incentive to accept a plea.
The case also raises questions about Burke’s financial status. According to testimony, he has earned at least $10 million from his music career. Public defenders are typically assigned to defendants who cannot afford private counsel, implying that Burke may be out of money. Burke’s family, however, has disputed this, claiming he is not indigent and that he has hidden assets in corporate entities.
Family members released statements expressing grief and demanding justice for Rivas. They also criticized the public defender system, arguing that taxpayers would fund the defense of a wealthy individual. The family’s statements were not corroborated by independent financial records.
The investigation into Rivas’s death began in September 2025 when her remains were discovered in the impounded Tesla. Police and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office have determined the cause of death as multiple penetrating injuries and the manner as homicide. The case has attracted significant media attention, with coverage from ABC News, Billboard, and Vanity Fair.
As the trial approaches, the legal community watches how the new defense team will navigate the complex evidence, including the chainsaw purchase history and the vehicle’s location. Prosecutors argue that premeditation will be the hardest element to prove, while defense attorneys anticipate challenges based on the absence of eyewitnesses or confessions.
The outcome of this case will have implications beyond the courtroom, touching on California’s moratorium on the death penalty, the responsibilities of public defenders, and the intersection of celebrity and criminal justice.
The next court session is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2026, at which point the prosecution will present its case and the defense will outline its strategy. The proceedings will continue to unfold as the legal process advances.
Burke’s former counsel, including Blair Berk and Marilynne Bednarski, were granted a withdrawal without a stated reason. Public defender Walid Kandeel stepped in to represent the singer. In a brief statement, Kandeel acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and affirmed his commitment to a thorough defense. He also requested a postponement of the arraignment, but the judge denied the motion.
During the arraignment, Burke pleaded not guilty to three counts: first‑degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of a human body. The judge set the next court date for Oct. 19, 2026.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the change in representation would not affect the prosecution’s strategy. “As soon as the defense announces ‘ready to proceed,’ the DA’s office is ready to proceed,” Hochman told reporters. He reiterated that the prosecution is still awaiting a mitigation packet from Burke’s defense before deciding whether to seek the death penalty, a possibility that remains open under California law.
California’s death‑penalty system is under a moratorium imposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019. While the state retains the legal framework for capital punishment, executions have not occurred since 2006. Hochman noted that the DA’s office would consider the mitigation packet and aggravating factors before determining whether to pursue a death sentence.
Legal analysts have weighed in on the implications of a public defender’s involvement. Lou Shapiro suggested financial constraints may have prompted the withdrawal, noting that Burke’s new representation could influence the likelihood of a plea deal. Neama Rahmani countered that, given California’s moratorium, the death penalty is unlikely, and therefore Burke has little incentive to accept a plea.
The case also raises questions about Burke’s financial status. According to testimony, he has earned at least $10 million from his music career. Public defenders are typically assigned to defendants who cannot afford private counsel, implying that Burke may be out of money. Burke’s family, however, has disputed this, claiming he is not indigent and that he has hidden assets in corporate entities.
Family members released statements expressing grief and demanding justice for Rivas. They also criticized the public defender system, arguing that taxpayers would fund the defense of a wealthy individual. The family’s statements were not corroborated by independent financial records.
The investigation into Rivas’s death began in September 2025 when her remains were discovered in the impounded Tesla. Police and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office have determined the cause of death as multiple penetrating injuries and the manner as homicide. The case has attracted significant media attention, with coverage from ABC News, Billboard, and Vanity Fair.
As the trial approaches, the legal community watches how the new defense team will navigate the complex evidence, including the chainsaw purchase history and the vehicle’s location. Prosecutors argue that premeditation will be the hardest element to prove, while defense attorneys anticipate challenges based on the absence of eyewitnesses or confessions.
The outcome of this case will have implications beyond the courtroom, touching on California’s moratorium on the death penalty, the responsibilities of public defenders, and the intersection of celebrity and criminal justice.
The next court session is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2026, at which point the prosecution will present its case and the defense will outline its strategy. The proceedings will continue to unfold as the legal process advances.
