Defense lawyers for singer D4vd withdraw from murder case

Singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, has had his high-profile private defense lawyers withdraw from his murder case. At a hearing where he entered a new not guilty plea to charges of murder, sexual abuse, and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a public defender from the Los Angeles county public defender’s office was appointed to represent him. The reasons for the private lawyers' withdrawal are unclear, though they stated the judge granted their request after finding Burke qualified for a court-appointed lawyer, despite his reported earnings. Authorities allege Burke killed Hernandez after she threatened to expose sexual abuse and damage his career. A judge previously found sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial, and the district attorney is still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty.

Singer D4vd, legally known as David Anthony Burke, has lost his high-profile private legal team, including Blair Berk, who were defending him against charges of killing, sexually abusing, and dismembering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The prominent lawyers withdrew after a judge found Burke qualified for a court-appointed attorney from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, despite his reported earnings of at least $10 million. Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel has taken over the defense. A judge previously ruled there was sufficient evidence for Burke to stand trial on murder and other serious charges. The District Attorney's office is still deciding whether to pursue the death penalty.