D4vd’s legal team has abruptly withdrawn from his murder trial, with the singer now turning to a public defender as he prepares to face the case.
He revealed in court Monday that he had parted ways with his legal team and would instead rely on public defenders in the high-profile murder case.
After meeting privately with L.A. County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo, defense attorney Blair Berk told the court that her client, whose real name is David Burke, wants the public defender.
“Is that your wish, Mr. Burke,” Judge Olmedo asked.
The defendant responded, “Yes.”
The courtroom surprise came during a normally routine hearing in the case, where D4vd is accused of killing a 14-year-old girl whose remains were discovered in his abandoned vehicle.
D4vd’s new attorney, Walid Fouad Kandeel, had been sitting in the gallery before Berk revealed the change in legal representation.
Judge Olmedo then asked the public defender to step forward and introduce himself to the court.
D4vd’s new attorney asked to postpone Monday’s arraignment so he could review the case, but the judge denied the request and entered not guilty pleas on the singer’s behalf.
All parties were ordered by Olmedo to return for another court appearance on October 19.
As court adjourned, the defendant exchanged smiles and handshakes with now-former attorneys Berk and Regina Peter.
Judge Olmedo ordered the 21-year-old artist to stand trial on July 27 after prosecutors presented evidence at a preliminary hearing in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
D4vd arrested in Celeste Rivas Hernandez murder case
Burke was arrested on the afternoon of April 16 at a house on Marmont Avenue in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles police said.
On September 8, police were called to an impounded Tesla at Hollywood Tow over a reported foul odor and discovered the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
D4vd was also accused of stabbing the teen multiple times, watching her bleed to death and attempting to dispose of evidence.
Her badly decomposed remains were later found in two bags in the front trunk of his abandoned Tesla.
Messages shared between Hernandez and Burke indicated she had been pregnant at 13 and undergone an abortion.
Burke also expressed regret in an early 2024 exchange, apologizing for “putting her through this.”
