LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — D4vd, the 21-year-old singer facing a murder charge in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, will be represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after his privately retained defense attorneys withdrew from the case and a judge determined he qualified for appointed counsel.
Attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter asked the court to withdraw from representing D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke. The court granted the request Monday and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, according to a statement from the former defense attorneys.
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“This morning the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel,” the attorneys said.
The attorneys did not publicly disclose why they could no longer represent Burke. Their statement said they continued to support him and his defense against the charges and expressed confidence in the public defender team now handling the case.
The appointment means the court determined Burke qualifies for publicly funded representation because he is unable to afford private counsel. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office says it represents criminal defendants who cannot afford to retain private attorneys.
The development is notable because Burke previously had a high-profile private defense team and had earned millions from his music career. TMZ has reported that Burke made at least $11 million from his Interscope recording deal. His former attorneys did not say that his finances were the reason they withdrew, and it remains unclear what happened to the money he earned.
Burke was charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the death of Hernandez, whose remains were discovered inside the front trunk of his Tesla after the vehicle had been impounded.
Prosecutors allege Burke sexually abused Hernandez and later killed her before attempting to conceal her death by dismembering her remains. Burke has pleaded not guilty and has denied responsibility for her death.
A five-day preliminary hearing concluded in July with a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge finding sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial. Prosecutors presented evidence that included text messages between Burke and Hernandez as well as testimony concerning the circumstances surrounding her death.
Defense attorneys during the preliminary hearing challenged portions of the prosecution’s evidence and questioned witnesses about whether Hernandez’s injuries could have been self-inflicted and about her relationship with Burke.
Burke is scheduled to return to court October 19. It remains unclear whether the change in legal representation will affect the timing of future proceedings or any eventual trial date.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has described the case as involving the killing of a 14-year-old girl. Because Burke has pleaded not guilty, the allegations against him remain accusations unless and until proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the seat of Los Angeles County, where the criminal case against Burke is being prosecuted. The Los Angeles County Superior Court handles felony criminal proceedings in the county.
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