D4vd's High-Profile Lawyers Drop Him as He Moves to Public Defender Despite $2M Net Worth

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, 31 August 2026, where his high-profile private defence team withdrew and the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office was appointed to represent him in the murder case involving 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The change drew scrutiny because Burke is a commercially successful recording artist, but neither the court nor his former lawyers publicly disclosed the financial details behind his eligibility for appointed counsel.

The 21-year-old singer pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Judge Charlaine Olmedo approved the change after it was determined that Burke qualified for appointed counsel, while his former lawyers said they would continue to support him and his defence.

Private Lawyers Step Aside as Public Defender Appointed

Burke's previous defence team consisted of Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter. Berk told the court that Burke wanted the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office to take over the case, and the judge granted the request.

In a written statement, the lawyers confirmed that the court had allowed them to withdraw and appointed the Public Defender's Office. Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel then sought extra time to review case materials and prepare, but Judge Olmedo denied the request before proceeding with the arraignment.

Why D4vd's Reported Earnings Did Not Prevent a Public Defender

During the preliminary hearing, Burke's financial manager, Benjamin Greger, testified that the singer had grossed between $10 million and $11 million, roughly £7.3 million to £8.1 million, from 2023 to 2025 following his Interscope deal.

That evidence concerned reported historical income rather than a public accounting of Burke's current cash, assets, debts or ability to pay for private representation.

Under California's rules governing appointed counsel, the relevant question is whether a defendant can afford private representation at the time counsel is needed. Reported career earnings alone therefore do not establish whether a defendant can currently finance a lengthy criminal defence.

Prosecutors Outline Allegations Against Burke

Prosecutors allege that Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive on 23 April 2025 after being taken to a Hollywood Hills property where Burke was staying, and that Burke killed her there before dismembering her body. They further allege that an alleged sexual relationship between the two led Burke to fear that disclosure would damage his music career.

Rivas Hernandez's remains were discovered on 8 September 2025 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Prosecutors also allege that Burke engaged in a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez while she was under 14, forming the basis of the continuous-sexual-abuse charge.

Defence and Family Dispute Key Timeline Details

During the five-day preliminary hearing in July, Burke's former defence team challenged elements of the prosecution's case, including questions about Rivas Hernandez's age and the circumstances of her death.

Judge Olmedo later ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial, a procedural decision rather than a finding of guilt.

Patrick Steinfeld, a lawyer representing Rivas Hernandez's family, said a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy told Burke during a February 2024 welfare check that Rivas Hernandez was 13, disputing the defence's suggestion that he did not know she was a minor.

Burke Faces Possible Death Penalty as Case Advances

Burke remains in custody without bail and could face the death penalty because the murder charge includes special-circumstance allegations. District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said prosecutors had not yet decided whether to seek capital punishment; if Burke were convicted of special-circumstance murder without a death sentence, he could face life without parole.

Burke was arrested on 16 April 2026 and is due back in court on 19 October 2026 for a status conference. No trial date has been set, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty in court.