D4vd switches to public defender as murder case advances over 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

After his private lawyers withdrew, singer D4vd (David Burke) is now represented by a public defender ahead of his second arraignment on murder with special circumstances, sexual abuse of a minor under 14, and unlawful mutilation in the death and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in the trunk of his Tesla. The arraignment proceeded as scheduled; the DA is prepared to go to trial and may seek the death penalty, though California’s moratorium complicates that option. A judge refused to delay the hearing, and Celeste’s family criticized the switch to public counsel amid ongoing investigations; next court date is Oct. 19 with trial potentially starting within months.