American singer D4vd, who is currently facing trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, has dropped his private legal team after declaring himself indigent.
The 21-year-old artist, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, informed the court that he lacks the financial resources to continue funding his private defence.
The transition marks a stunning shift in strategy for the platinum-selling musician. His sudden inability to pay for top-tier legal counsel has drawn widespread public scrutiny.
Dropping High-Profile Lawyers for Public Lawyers
The singer's lawyers—Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter—have withdrawn from the case. The departing team noted they continue to support his right to a defence.
Burke is now represented by Walid Kandeel from the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
The victim's family expressed shock and outrage over Burke's claim of indigence. Patrick Steinfeld, the legal representative for the Rivas Hernandez family, challenged the singer's assertion of financial hardship. Steinfeld pointed out that D4vd boasts more than five billion streams and 16 million monthly listeners.
Declaring Himself as Indigent
Furthermore, the lawyer noted that the artist controls three corporate entities: D4VD Entertainment, Skullrose Merchandising, and Headspace Publishing.
Steinfeld argued that the public should be outraged that taxpayers might have to bear the financial burden of defending a highly successful celebrity against such severe criminal charges.
Burke faces serious allegations, which include murder, continuous sexual assault of a child under 14, and the illegal mutilation of human remains.
These harrowing accusations have severely impacted the young artist's soaring career. Prosecutors allege that Burke engaged in sexual abuse for more than a year before killing Rivas Hernandez on 23 April 2025.
A Bleak Case
The prosecution claims that he dismembered the victim and concealed her remains in the front boot of his Tesla. During a July preliminary hearing, the prosecution presented evidence including text messages recovered from Burke's iCloud account.
These communications reportedly contained discussions regarding pregnancy and abortion in January 2024, when the victim was 13. Furthermore, Steinfeld contested defence claims that Burke was unaware of the girl's true age, asserting that sheriff's deputies explicitly informed the singer she was 13 during a February 2024 encounter.
Before departing, Burke's private team maintained that the prosecution failed to definitively prove the singer committed the murder or premeditated the killing. Bednarski previously argued that the act of dismemberment did not automatically establish the exact cause, time, or location of death.
In a related development, the Hollywood Hills property Burke rented during the alleged murder has struggled to attract tenants. The residence, scrutinised by forensic investigators who discovered potential blood stains, recently saw a significant reduction in its rental price. The asking rent was slashed by ten per cent, dropping to $21,500 (around £15,870) a month, as the property remains vacant following Burke's departure.
What Happens Next?
Following the change in legal representation, public defender Walid Kandeel requested an adjournment to review the extensive case transcripts. The sheer volume of evidence and complex testimonies presented thus far will require significant preparation from the newly appointed defence counsel.
However, Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied the request for a delay, pointing out that the charges remain identical to those presented when Burke was initially arrested in April. The presiding judge officially scheduled the next court hearing for 19 October, whilst a definitive date for the full trial has yet to be established.
For now, the case remains unresolved, with both the prosecution and defence set to face further scrutiny as proceedings continue. The next hearing could provide further insight into the evidence and arguments that will shape the case ahead of trial.
