The legal team representing D4vd in his upcoming murder trial has withdrawn from the case. D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces trial for the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The 21-year-old musician was arrested on April 16 at a Hollywood residence and is currently being held without bail.
Burke is charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, as well as additional offenses including lewd acts with a minor and mutilation of a corpse. At his initial court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
During the preliminary proceedings, prosecutors alleged that Burke purchased tools online—including chainsaws—to dispose of Hernandez’s body. They further claim that he stabbed the teenager multiple times in his home, and made several online purchases under a false name in the days following the alleged murder. The items purchased reportedly included two chainsaws, an inflatable pool, a body bag, and a shovel.
On Monday, the BBC reported that the lawyers initially hired to represent D4vd—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter—have withdrawn from the case. The court granted their request, and D4vd has now been assigned a public defender.
“We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges,” the lawyers said in a statement. “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.”
Blair Berk, one of the former defense lawyers, is known for representing high-profile clients such as Mel Gibson, Lindsay Lohan, Harvey Weinstein, and Britney Spears.
Walid Kandeel, the deputy public defender now representing D4vd, stated that Burke “is entitled to a defense that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.”
The murder charge against D4vd includes special circumstances related to financial gain, which could potentially make him eligible for the death penalty.
