All articles tagged with #preliminary hearing
Robinson’s lawyers ask the court to strike the aggravating factor that would make him eligible for the death penalty, arguing prosecutors haven’t shown he knew his shot would endanger others at the Charlie Kirk event; prosecutors counter that the evidence supports an enhanced penalty, with a Sept. 1 hearing scheduled to decide whether the case moves forward.
During a five-day preliminary hearing, prosecutors revealed a complex relationship between D4vd’s David Burke and 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, including text messages about pregnancy, an abortion, and threats to expose him, which prosecutors cite as a possible motive. No murder weapon was recovered and the exact manner of the killing remains unclear, leaving room for defense arguments like self-defense or crime-of-passion. Burke’s next court date is Aug. 31 for arraignment, with trial timing uncertain; while prosecutors could seek the death penalty, California’s moratorium makes life without parole the likely outcome if convicted.
A Los Angeles judge ruled there is enough evidence to move forward with the murder case against singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old whose remains were found in Burke’s Tesla. Prosecutors presented graphic photos and text messages at the preliminary hearing to establish probable cause for trial on charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts with a minor, and mutilation of a body. Burke remains held without bail; a post-preliminary arraignment is set for Aug. 31, with a trial possible about 60 days after that date.
Prosecutors released the final messages between D4vd (David Burke) and Celeste Rivas Hernandez, then a 14-year-old, showing alleged premeditation and efforts to cover up her death after a night when she traveled to his home. Authorities say he traveled to Santa Barbara to discard evidence following her death and that he was charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains; a preliminary hearing found enough evidence to move to trial. Earlier texts also revealed a pregnancy and abortion in their history. The case remains under legal proceedings as more details emerge.
At a Los Angeles preliminary hearing, a detective testified that data from singer D4vd’s phone included private messages with Celeste Rivas Hernandez when she was 13, discussing pregnancy, abortion, and contraception. Prosecutors allege Burke (D4vd) began abusing Celeste around age 13 and later killed her in 2025, with her remains found in Burke’s Tesla. The case includes numerous explicit images; the hearing is to determine probable cause, not guilt, and Burke maintains innocence.
In Los Angeles, singer D4vd (David Burke) is charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation after 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dismembered in the trunk of his Tesla. A preliminary hearing revealed text messages from Celeste’s age 11 to 13 discussing abortion, contraception, and a sexual relationship, alongside images; the medical examiner described fatal penetrating injuries and dismemberment. Prosecutors say he killed her to protect his career, while his lawyers vow to vigorously defend him. The judge will determine if there is probable cause to proceed to trial; there is no jury yet, with proceedings continuing.
During a Los Angeles preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented hundreds of photos and messages from D4vd’s phone alleging he sexually abused Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was a minor, and discussed an abortion. The materials, plus other evidence, are part of the case accusing him of killing and dismembering Hernandez; the judge will decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. If convicted, Burke could face life in prison without parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not indicated they will seek capital punishment.
A LAPD criminalist testified that DNA from stains found in D4vd's Hollywood Hills home and on items in the garage matched 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were found in the front trunk of the singer's Tesla, as a preliminary hearing weighs whether he should stand trial on capital murder and related charges, including lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and murder of a witness, along with counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of human remains.
Prosecutors in D4vd's preliminary hearing laid out a timeline tying the suspect to Celeste Rivas Hernandez via a chilling call, the degraded clothing recovered, and cellphone/Tesla data showing synchronized movements toward a remote Santa Barbara area, with forensic testimony on trace evidence from Celeste's clothing as they pursue probable-cause for charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts upon a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Prosecutors allege D4vd (David Burke) killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, dismembered her with a chainsaw and disposed of the body after cleaning his Hollywood Hills garage; a LAPD criminologist testified blood was found on gym mats and flooring with victim DNA matching evidence recovered elsewhere, while Burke pleads not guilty to murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilating a corpse. The ongoing preliminary hearing will decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial, where a conviction could mean life without parole or the death penalty; defense notes the blood test was not definitive.
During a Los Angeles preliminary hearing, investigators testified that D4vd (David Burke) had at least 11 air fresheners in his Tesla where the decomposed body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found; blood and victim DNA were detected in the car and a garage, fueling prosecutors’ claim that Burke murdered and dismembered the girl to protect his career. Burke pleads not guilty, and the hearing is expected to continue with further testing and testimony to determine if the case will go to trial.
A Los Angeles preliminary hearing reveals prosecutors’ allegations that D4vd (David Burke) killed and dismembered Celeste Rivas after arranging her travel from Lake Elsinore to his Hollywood Hills home; the case highlights his Interscope-backed finances, showing about $2.77 million earned in 2025. Burke is charged with first‑degree murder with special circumstances and related offenses, with the death penalty still on the table. Evidence discussed includes an Uber ride to move Rivas, a security guard, travel tickets to London and Texas, and the ongoing question of whether a trial will proceed.
Prosecutors in Los Angeles argue that D4vd had a multimillion-dollar deal with Interscope and a financial motive to kill 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, pointing to purchases of a chainsaw, body bag, and shovel as part of the evidence. The three- to five-day preliminary hearing will determine probable cause on murder, lewd acts with a child, and mutilation charges. Burke has pleaded not guilty and faces potential death or life without parole if convicted; he has been jailed without bail since April. Celeste's family attended the proceedings, seeking justice.
A Los Angeles preliminary hearing heard a homicide detective testify that D4vd, real name David Burke, ordered a body bag, chain saws, a shovel and other items to dismember 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez after a fatal stabbing tied to allegations of a troubling online relationship; prosecutors say Burke used the alias Trayvion Davis and paid with his own cards, while Burke’s lawyers say he did not kill her and he has pleaded not guilty to murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
A Los Angeles judge will decide if there is enough evidence to move singer D4vd (David Burke) to trial on murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor and unlawful mutilation charges related to the death and dismemberment of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 13-year-old with whom prosecutors say he had a relationship. Prosecutors showed body camera footage and DNA linking Burke to the crime; authorities found the dismembered body in the trunk of a Tesla registered to him. Burke, then 18, has pleaded not guilty; the four-day preliminary hearing will determine whether probable cause exists to proceed, with the death penalty decision still undecided by prosecutors.