D4vd’s defense shifts to public lawyers amid high-profile murder case
Celebrity lawyers for US singer D4vd have withdrawn, and the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office will represent him in the murder case involving 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, mutilation of a body and child sexual abuse; prosecutors allege he killed Hernandez after years of alleged abuse and threatened to reveal his relationship with a minor. A pre-trial hearing is set for Oct. 19, and the DA said the lawyer switch could delay proceedings or require additional review, though prosecutors are ready to proceed. The case includes special circumstances that could carry a death penalty if convicted.