Singer D4vd's Legal Team Seeks Swift Public Disclosure of Evidence in Teenager's Killing
Lawyers representing singer D4vd are aggressively pushing for prosecutors to promptly and publicly present all evidence gathered against him concerning the tragic killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The 21-year-old artist, whose legal name is David Burke, is scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles court for a pivotal hearing on Thursday, merely three days after being formally charged and entering a plea of not guilty to first-degree murder.
Unusual Legal Strategy in High-Profile Case
In a highly unusual legal manoeuvre, Burke is exercising his specific right under California law to request that a judge determine within ten court days following his arraignment whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a full trial. This procedural step is almost universally waived by defendants, who typically allow this phase to unfold slowly over many months. The defence's insistence on accelerating this process has brought intense scrutiny to the case.
Lead defence attorney Blair Berk stated unequivocally to the judge on Monday, "We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez." This declaration sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation in court as both sides prepare to present their arguments.
Substantial Evidence and Autopsy Findings
Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman responded in court, indicating that the prosecution would be "very happy" to present their evidence, revealing that investigators have amassed a staggering 40 terabytes of data that can be shared. A critical piece of evidence entered the public domain on Wednesday with the release of the autopsy report from the LA County Medical Examiner's Office, which had been completed months earlier.
The autopsy report concluded that Rivas Hernandez's death resulted from two penetrating wounds to her upper body. Burke, who is currently being held without the possibility of bail, has also pleaded not guilty to additional charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a person under the age of 14 and the mutilation of a dead human body.
Prosecution Allegations and Timeline
Prosecutors allege a disturbing pattern of behaviour, claiming that Burke had been sexually abusing Rivas Hernandez for at least a year, beginning when she was just 13 years old. They contend he killed the teenager when she threatened to report their relationship, then dismembered her body approximately two weeks later. The girl's dismembered remains were discovered in Burke's Tesla in the Hollywood Hills seven months ago, sending shockwaves through the community.
Thursday's hearing coincides precisely with the one-year anniversary of the last day authorities believe Rivas Hernandez was alive, when she reportedly visited Burke's residence. The case has involved a secret grand jury that heard months of testimony, though it had not issued an indictment prior to the singer's arrest last week. The existence of this grand jury became public through a February court filing in Texas, where Burke's relatives sought to reject subpoenas compelling their testimony.
Family's Heartbreaking Statement and Artist's Background
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, issued their first public statement on Tuesday, describing their daughter as "a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance." They expressed, "We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste."
D4vd, pronounced "David," rose to prominence among younger audiences through his distinctive fusion of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop. He achieved viral fame on TikTok in 2022 with his hit single "Romantic Homicide," which peaked at number four on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. His debut EP "Petals to Thorns" and its follow-up "The Lost Petals" were both released in 2023.
His first full-length album, titled "Withered," was released exactly one year ago, just two days after the date prosecutors estimate that Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed, adding a poignant and tragic layer to the timeline of events.
