Add The California Post on Google D4vd has dropped his high-powered private defense team and turned to a public defender after apparently running out of money defending charges of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The singer — whose real name is David Burke — appeared in court Monday wearing an orange jumpsuit and glasses, with his hands unshackled upon entering.
Celebrity attorney Blair Berk told the judge that Burke was seeking representation from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and asked for permission for herself and attorney Marilyn Bednarski to withdraw from the case.
When the judge asked Burke whether that was his wish, he replied: “Yes, your honor.”
The judge allowed Berk and Bednarski to withdraw and appointed the LA County Public Defender’s Office after Burke was determined to qualify for appointed counsel.
Berk’s team turned over its case files to the public defender.
Burke’s new attorney then sought to delay his arraignment, but the judge denied the request and entered not guilty pleas to all three charges on his behalf. A status conference was set for Oct. 19.
In a statement following the hearing, Berk, Bednarski and attorney Regina Peter said: “This morning the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appoint the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel.
“We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges. 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.”
The decision to drop his legal team arraignment comes ahead of an impending decision by Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman if he will face the death penalty if he’s found guilty.
A preliminary hearing just over a month ago saw horrific photos of Rivas’ dismembered body, damning new autopsy evidence, and text revelations that Burke had gotten Rivas pregnant when she was just 13.
Rivas’ parents Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, watched in horror during the first day of the hearing as shocking images of her decapitated and mutilated corpse were displayed in court.
The devastated couple were later spotted crying in the hall of the courthouse after viewing their daughter’s severed limbs, head, torso and fingers allegedly found in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla.
Rivas was only 14 when she was allegedly stabbed to death by Burke who then allegedly cut her body into several pieces and stuffed it into bags, before loading it into the car.
Grant Ho, the Deputy Medical Examiner, took the stand testifying that Rivas’ body only weighed 71 pounds during the autopsy.
“The body was markedly decomposed,” he said, adding there was “trauma to body, particularly the extremities.”
Ho also said Rivas’ braces were discovered during the exam.
The courtroom was shown graphic photos of Rivas’ hands and fingers, some of which had also been removed.
Photos of Rivas’ decomposing body were also shown to the courtroom.
Ho revealed he discovered two wounds on Rivas’ body — one on the right abdomen and one on the chest. The wound to the abdomen punctured Rivas’ liver and was compatible with “sharp force injury.”
The other injury, he said, may “represent a gunshot wound,” though that was not clear.
The medical examiner testified that the victim’s left chest wound could have been fatal by allowing air to enter the chest, while the liver wound could have caused life-threatening internal bleeding.
The last days of the hearing revealed bombshell text messages alleging Rivas was only 13 years old when she had an abortion with singer d4vd.
The alleged messages, show Rivas and Burke, discussing the pregnancy in January 2024, when Burke was 18, prosecutors said.
In the exchange, Burke allegedly apologized to Rivas, writing: “I’m sorry again baby i didnt want to ever put you through this.”
Rivas allegedly responded: “No its ok. Don’t worry both of us are able to take care of it.”
“Don’t worry about it my love,” she later wrote, according to the messages.
The pair then appeared to discuss when the abortion would happen.
“When you gonna get it done?” Burke allegedly asked.
Burke also appeared to question whether he was the father, writing: “My mom said I have to ask this question, don’t get offended, but is it mine?”
“Of course it is David,” Rivas allegedly replied.
Messages from the following day, Jan. 9, 2024, allegedly suggested the abortion had been completed.
Burke’s upcoming trial is expected to last longer than the five day preliminary hearing, and Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman has told the media to expect not yet seen evidence.
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