Celebrity Lawyers Withdraw from D4vd Murder Trial, Public Defender Appointed
Quick Look
- Celebrity lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter have withdrawn from representing musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke) in his upcoming murder trial for the alleged killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- A judge has appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office to represent Burke, who pleaded not guilty and is set to stand trial for murder after prosecutors alleged he stabbed the teen following years of sexual abuse and dismembered her body.
- A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for October 19.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is a US musician charged with murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to his address. Prosecutors allege he stabbed her after years of sexual abuse before dismembering her body. Burke pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles court on Monday, and a judge had previously determined he would stand trial for murder.
The celebrity lawyers hired to represent US musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial have withdrawn from the case.
The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been appointed a public defender to mount his defence against the charge of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, whose remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to his address.
Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to the murder charges in a Los Angeles court on Monday.
A judge determined last month that he will stand trial for murder. Prosecutors have alleged he stabbed the teen after years of sexual abuse before dismembering her body.
A pre-trial hearing is set for 19 October.
Lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter said in a statement to the BBC that the court had granted their request to withdraw from the case and had appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office to represent the singer.
The statement said that D4vd "qualified for appointed counsel".
"We continue to support David and his defence against these serious charges," they said.
"We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him."
Berk, who led the defence team, has previously represented US actor Mel Gibson and film mogul Harvey Weinstein, as well as singer Britney Spears and actress Lindsay Lohan.
Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said in a statement that Burke was "entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence".
"We are committed to providing him with that defence," he said.
Los Angeles County's top prosecutor, Nathan Hochman, said outside the courtroom on Monday that his office was "ready to proceed" with its case against Burke.
He also acknowledged that the singer's change in lawyers could delay proceedings, require additional time to review the evidence, or result in the filing of a motion to dismiss the case.
His team was ready for "zealous representation" by the defence, he said.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The pre-trial hearing on October 19 will address procedural matters and potentially set a trial date.
Very likely · Within days
The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office will review the evidence and prepare a defense strategy for D4vd.
Very likely · Within weeks
The defense may file a motion to dismiss the case or request additional time to review evidence due to the change in lawyers.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific evidence supports the allegation of years of sexual abuse?
- Why did the celebrity lawyers withdraw from the case?
- What is the timeline for the pre-trial hearing and subsequent trial proceedings?
- Are there any additional charges or legal motions expected from either side?
