The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has replaced his high-profile private defense team with a Los Angeles County public defender and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
August 31, 2026: Singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is facing a major change in his legal defense after his high-profile private attorneys withdrew from his murder case and a Los Angeles County public defender took over his representation.
Burke appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday, where he pleaded not guilty again to charges connected to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. His former attorneys, including prominent lawyer Blair Berk, were granted permission to withdraw from the case, although no specific reason for their departure was disclosed.
Image Credit: Courtesy Rivas Hernandez family
D4vd’s High-Profile Defense Team Steps Away
Burke previously had a private legal team that included attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter.
During Monday’s hearing, Berk told the court that Burke wanted to be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. Judge Charlaine Olmedo granted the request, and Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel took over the case.
In a statement, Burke’s former attorneys said the court granted their request to withdraw after determining that he qualified for appointed counsel.
“We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges,” the attorneys said.
The attorneys did not publicly provide a detailed explanation for why they were leaving the case.
Why Did D4vd’s Lawyers Withdraw?
The exact reason for the change in legal representation has not been publicly explained.
The former defense team said only that Burke had been determined to qualify for appointed counsel. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office also said it had conducted a financial evaluation and determined that Burke was eligible for representation.
The change has nevertheless raised questions because Burke became a successful recording artist after his music went viral and reportedly earned millions from his career.
According to testimony presented in the case, Burke earned at least $10 million from his music between 2023 and 2025. Despite that, the public defender’s office determined that he met its eligibility requirements.
Some media reports have speculated about financial circumstances, but no official explanation has confirmed that finances were the reason for the change.
Image Credit: foxla.com
D4vd Pleads Not Guilty Again
The change in attorneys happened during a hearing where Burke entered another not-guilty plea.
The 21-year-old singer faces charges including murder, continuous lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has remained in custody without bail since his arrest in April.
The renewed plea was part of the legal proceedings following a July preliminary hearing in which Judge Olmedo determined that prosecutors had presented enough evidence for the case to proceed toward trial.
Burke has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
What Are the Charges Against D4vd?
Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez in April 2025 and later dismembered her remains.
According to prosecutors, the teenager’s remains were eventually discovered inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. The remains were found in September 2025 after the vehicle had been impounded.
Prosecutors have alleged that Burke and Rivas Hernandez had an illegal sexual relationship and that he feared she would expose the relationship and damage his growing music career.
Those claims are allegations from prosecutors and have not been proven in court.
Prosecutors Say There Is Enough Evidence for Trial
The case moved closer to trial after a five-day evidentiary hearing in July.
During that hearing, prosecutors presented testimony from roughly a dozen witnesses and introduced evidence they said connected Burke to the killing. The prosecution also presented evidence concerning the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s remains and forensic material.
Judge Olmedo ultimately ruled that there was sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial.
That decision does not constitute a finding of guilt. Burke remains legally presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted.
New Public Defender Takes Over the Case
Walid Kandeel is now representing Burke as deputy public defender.
Kandeel acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations while emphasizing Burke’s right to a defense that examines the evidence.
“The loss of life” was acknowledged in a statement from Kandeel, who also said Burke is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.
Kandeel asked the judge for additional time to review the case materials, but the request to delay Monday’s proceedings was denied.
When Is D4vd’s Next Court Hearing?
Burke’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 2026, with reports placing the status hearing on October 19. A trial date has not yet been finalized.
Prosecutors have indicated that the case could move toward trial following the next stage of proceedings.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has also said his office is still considering whether to seek the death penalty.
D4vd’s Career Before the Case
Before the murder allegations dramatically changed his public image, D4vd was one of the music industry’s rapidly rising young artists.
He became widely known after his song “Romantic Homicide” went viral on TikTok and other streaming platforms. His music attracted a large international audience, and he went on to sign with Interscope Records and release his debut studio album, Withered.
His rise included performances at major events such as Coachella, making the legal case particularly significant within the entertainment industry.
What Happens Next in the D4vd Case?
For now, the immediate focus will be on Kandeel and the public defender’s office becoming familiar with the extensive evidence gathered during the investigation and preliminary hearing.
The October hearing should provide more information about the timeline toward trial.
The case remains ongoing, and the allegations against Burke have not been proven in court.
The change in legal representation represents a significant development, but it does not change the charges themselves or the fact that prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
HOLR has the latest news on D4vd’s murder case as the singer’s new legal team prepares for the next stage of proceedings.
FAQs
Why did D4vd’s lawyers withdraw from his murder case?
D4vd’s former attorneys, including Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, were granted permission to withdraw after the court determined that Burke qualified for appointed counsel. The attorneys did not publicly provide a more specific reason for their departure.
Who is representing D4vd now?
D4vd is now represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office. Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel has taken over his defense.
Did D4vd plead guilty?
No. Burke pleaded not guilty again during his August 31, 2026 arraignment.
Published by HOLR Magazine