Los Angeles County’s public defender has taken over the defense of U.S. musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, after his celebrity legal team withdrew from the case. Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse charges in a Los Angeles court on Monday, following a judge’s ruling last month that he would stand trial for murder. Prosecutors allege he stabbed 14‑year‑old Celeste Rivas Hernandez after years of sexual abuse, then dismembered her body, with her remains found in a Tesla registered to his address in September 2025.
Lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter announced to the BBC that the court granted their request to withdraw and that the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office would now represent Burke. They said D4vd “qualified for appointed counsel” and that the new team would be “highly capable and committed.” Berk, who has defended high‑profile clients such as Mel Gibson, Harvey Weinstein, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, had led the original defense.
Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel stated that Burke is entitled to a defense that “takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence.” Prosecutors’ top officer Nathan Hochman said his office was ready to proceed, noting that a change in counsel could delay proceedings or prompt a motion to dismiss. Burke’s not‑guilty plea was re‑entered after the charges were formally read on Monday.
The murder charges carry special circumstances linked to financial gain, potentially exposing Burke to the death penalty. Prosecutors claim he killed Hernandez to silence her threat that she would expose his relationship with a minor and jeopardize his multi‑million dollar music career. Evidence presented at a preliminary hearing included threatening texts from Hernandez and an alleged visit to Burke’s Hollywood home the day after the texts were sent.
A pre‑trial hearing is scheduled for 19 October. The case remains pending as the public defender’s office prepares to mount a defense for the singer.
