D4vd returned to a Los Angeles courtroom Monday as his murder case moved closer to trial. The singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, faces charges tied to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
A judge ordered Burke to stand trial last month after a five-day preliminary hearing. He previously pleaded not guilty and remained jailed without bail as the case moved forward.
D4vd returns for arraignment after his murder case was cleared to proceed to trial
According to ABC News, Burke faces charges including first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Prosecutors allege that Burke and Rivas Hernandez began a sexual relationship in 2023.
Prosecutors said Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive after traveling to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home. Her badly decomposed remains were later found inside two bags in the front trunk of his Tesla.
During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors called about a dozen witnesses and presented evidence supporting their case. A judge then ruled that enough evidence existed for the charges to proceed to trial.
Prosecutors allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez after she threatened to expose their relationship. They argued that the potential fallout could have damaged his growing music career.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed those allegations after the hearing. “The only headlines that will accompany his stage name from here forward will be about the vicious murder of a young girl,” he said.
The defense has continued to maintain Burke’s innocence. His attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter previously said, “The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.”
Former prosecutor Joshua Ritter also discussed the challenges facing both sides. He told ABC7 that prosecutors could struggle to prove premeditation.
Ritter said the defense faced its own challenge because “there is no one else so clearly linked to this crime but him.” He noted that prosecutors’ case remained largely circumstantial, despite physical evidence connecting Burke to the investigation.
The singer was expected to enter another not-guilty plea during Monday’s arraignment. The trial could begin within 90 days, keeping the case firmly in the spotlight.
Originally reported by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh on Mandatory.
