D4vd’s New Defense Attorneys Have a ‘Tough Road Ahead,’ Said Legal Expert
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, recently appeared in court ahead of his trial over the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke allegedly murdered Hernandez after engaging in a secret and illegal relationship with her. His legal team recently withdrew from the case. A legal expert said that Burke’s new legal team faces a long road ahead of them.
D4vd’s defense team withdrew from his case in the summer
On August 31, defense attorneys Blair Berk and Regina Peter parted ways with Burke.
“This morning the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appoint the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel,” Berk said in a statement, per NBC News. “We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges. We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him.”
It is not clear why they are no longer representing Burke. His new attorney is public defender Walid Fouad Kandeel.
D4vd’s new defense team has an uphill battle, said lawyer
Burke, who has pleaded not guilty, was recently in court. He will next appear in the courtroom on Jan. 11, 2027, and his trial will begin within 90 days of that date. Attorney Miguel Custodio said that this tells him that neither side is ready for trial yet.
“When a high-profile case delays its next status conference out by months, it tells me two things as a lawyer: first, the newly appointed public defenders are aggressively digging into a huge pile of complicated evidence, and second, both sides know they are nowhere near ready to set a trial date,” he said.
He explained that the new defense team has an uphill battle ahead of them given the extent of the evidence against Burke.
“The new defense lawyers are facing a tough road ahead. The state already proved it has evidence such as phone data and financial records,” he said. “Since the old lawyers quit right after that hearing, the new team didn’t get to question any of those key prosecution witnesses themselves.”
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family hopes to see him receive the death penalty
Hernandez’s family is seeking justice for her. They said that they hope to see Burke receive the death penalty.
“If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being, devoid of feelings and emptiness inside, and without conscience, who only caused pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter,” read a statement from the family, via Rolling Stone. “But that’s not in our hands, but rather in God’s, and the California justice system.”
While Burke could receive the death penalty, California currently has a moratorium on executions. It last carried out an execution in 2006.
