D4vd Case: Not Guilty Pleas in 14-Year-Old Murder

The case against D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, centers on the killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with her remains found in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla. Burke has repeatedly pleaded not guilty, and prosecutors have signaled the possibility of the death penalty under special-circumstance charges involving murder with sexual abuse allegations. After court discussions, Burke dismissed his private defense team and opted for representation by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office due to eligibility for appointed counsel. A preliminary hearing previously found probable cause to proceed to trial, and a post-preliminary arraignment confirmed not guilty pleas while transitioning to public defenders. The next status hearing was scheduled for October, as the case moves toward a full murder trial that prosecutors say could occur within 90 days. The allegations include a long-running sexual relationship with the victim that allegedly began when she was a minor, with text messages cited in court records as part of the evidence.