Tag

Public Defender

All articles tagged with #public defender

courts-and-crime10 days ago•16 min saved

D4VD's Bid for Public Defense Draws Wealth Bias Scrutiny

In Los Angeles, Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family claims D4VD (David Burke) should not receive a public defender, arguing Burke is wealthy (5+ billion streams, 16 million monthly listeners, and ownership of multiple companies) and thus should pay private counsel. Burke is charged with murder, continuous sexual assault of a minor under 14, and unlawful dismemberment, and the LA County Public Defender’s Office says he is eligible for representation. A judge indicated there’s enough evidence to move toward trial while decisions on defense funding proceed.

via Rolling Stone|

#celeste-rivas-hernandez #courts-and-crime #d4vd

crime11 days ago•4 min saved

D4vd switches to public defender in high-profile teen-murder case

Singer D4vd has replaced his private defense team with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office as he faces charges of murdering, dismembering and sexually assaulting a teenage fan. The switch, granted ahead of a hearing, comes as prosecutors pursue a case that could bring life without parole or the death penalty; a next hearing is set for Oct. 19 and the prosecution says the change in counsel will not alter its readiness to proceed.

via Los Angeles Times|

#crime #d4vd #murder

courts-and-crime12 days ago•19 min saved

D4vd Pleads Not Guilty, Switches to Public Defender in Teen Murder Case

D4vd pleaded not guilty to charges including sexually abusing a 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, murdering her, dismembering her body, and concealing the remains in the trunk of his Tesla; he replaced high-profile defense lawyers with Los Angeles County public defenders. A judge denied a delay and scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 19, with no trial date yet.

via Rolling Stone|

#celeste-rivas-hernandez #courts-and-crime #d4vd

crime12 days ago•3 min saved

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Celebrity lawyers for US singer D4vd have withdrawn, and the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office will represent him in the murder case involving 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.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.

via BBC|

#blair-berk #crime #d4vd

crime12 days ago•6 min saved

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.

via ABC7 New York|

#arraignment #celeste-rivas-hernandez #crime

crime13 days ago•2 min saved

D4vd dumps private counsel for public defenders ahead of LA murder trial

D4vd, real name David Burke, abruptly switches from private defense to public defenders during a Los Angeles pre-trial in the murder case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez; Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied a request to delay the arraignment and entered not guilty pleas on Burke’s behalf as his new attorney, Walid Fouad Kandeel, begins review of the case, with an Oct. 19 hearing scheduled. Remains of the victim were found in the trunk of a Tesla, and text messages reference a teenage pregnancy and abortion, against a backdrop of Burke apologizing in a 2024 exchange.

via NBC News|

#celeste-rivas-hernandez #crime #d4vd

crime-and-courts3 months ago•6 min saved

Nick Reiner seeks trust funds to fund his defense in double homicide case

Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner, filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court to release money from a family trust to pay for his defense. He is jailed awaiting trial on double‑homicide charges after his high‑profile private attorney was dropped; he now has a Los Angeles County public defender. Trustees allegedly withheld mandatory payouts, with the trust terms requiring half the funds at age 30 and the remainder at 35, though discretionary distributions for support were allowed until then. A change in the trust’s oversight is noted as the case proceeds.

via Los Angeles Times|

#crime-and-courts #double-homicide #nick-reiner

national-news6 months ago•11 min saved

Nick Reiner's defense loses family funding, TMZ reports

Nick Reiner, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s son, is charged with two counts of first‑degree murder for the December 2025 killings of his parents. TMZ reports the family is no longer funding his defense; his siblings aren’t hiring private counsel, and a deputy public defender now represents him as he remains jailed without bail ahead of an April 29 hearing.

via New York Daily News|

#murder-charges #national-news #nick-reiner

legalcriminal-justice2 years ago•3 min saved

"YSL Trial: Public Defender Withdraws, Young Thug's Social Media Under Scrutiny"

The last public defender in the Young Slime Life gang trial in Fulton County has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel, citing financial hardships and the inability to earn a livable wage due to the length and commitment required by the case. Angela D’Williams, the public defender, has faced unforeseen professional and financial challenges, despite recent compensation increases, and has expressed her inability to take on new clients. The trial, which began 13 months ago, has been particularly demanding, leaving minimal time for other professional responsibilities and creating a need for additional financial support.

via WSB Atlanta|

#financial-hardship #legalcriminal-justice #livable-wage

arts-and-entertainment3 years ago•7 min saved

From Public Defender to Lollapalooza: A Career Transformation at 40

Danielle Ponder, a former public defender, quit her job at 40 to pursue a full-time singing career. After years of performing and building a following, she scored a record deal and released her debut album, "Some of Us Are Brave." Ponder has been touring extensively, including a performance at Lollapalooza, where she received praise for her powerful voice and inspiring backstory. Her music reflects her struggles with anxiety and the criminal justice system's inequities. Ponder hopes to use her platform to raise awareness about social justice issues and empower others through vulnerability and authenticity.

via CNN|

#arts-and-entertainment #career-change #lollapalooza

crime3 years ago•10 min saved

"Roseville murder suspect's escape and capture: The lingering questions and history of running"

Eric Abril, the murder suspect who escaped from custody in Placer County, California, and led law enforcement on a manhunt, is set to appear in court for a new felony charge related to his escape. Abril's public defender, Brandon Bob, spoke with KCRA 3 in an exclusive interview, stating that he is happy to see Abril back in custody and is preparing for the next steps in the case. Bob declined to answer questions about Abril's escape or his reasons for doing so, citing attorney-client confidentiality. The Placer County Sheriff's Office is still investigating how Abril managed to escape from the hospital.

via KCRA Sacramento|

#crime #eric-abril #escape

crime3 years ago•1 min saved

Mental health concerns arise in Midtown shooting investigation.

Deion Patterson, the suspect in the Midtown shooting that killed a CDC employee and injured four others, suffers from apparent mental health issues, according to his public defender. Patterson, a veteran, had an appointment at the doctor's office where the shooting occurred and allegedly opened fire after being told he arrived too late to be seen. The highest levels of Veterans Affairs are examining whether there were any gaps in Patterson's mental health care. He faces a murder charge and four counts of aggravated assault and is being held without bond.

via The Atlanta Journal Constitution|

#atlanta #crime #mental-health

crime3 years ago•3 min saved

Possible Charges Dropped in Attack on Former SF Fire Commissioner.

The San Francisco public defender's office is seeking to drop charges against Garrett Doty, who was accused of assaulting former San Francisco Fire Commissioner Don Carmignani with a metal pipe. Doty's attorney claims he acted in self-defense after Carmignani allegedly pepper-sprayed him. The public defender's office alleges that Carmignani instigated the altercation and may have used bear or pepper spray against unhoused people in the past. The DA's office may drop charges against Doty if Carmignani is unable to testify in court.

via SFGATE|

#assault #charges-dropped #crime

law3 years ago•5 min saved

The ongoing struggle for criminal defendants' right to counsel.

The 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright, which affirmed a constitutional right to a lawyer for criminal defendants who could not afford one, is being celebrated. The case forced states to create taxpayer-funded public defender offices. Clarence Gideon was charged with breaking into a Florida pool hall in 1961 and was denied a court-appointed lawyer in state court, represented himself, and was convicted. The ruling led to the establishment and strengthening of public defender systems in the states and expanded the right to counsel in juvenile and certain misdemeanor cases.

via Fox News|

#criminal-justice #gideon-v-wainwright #law