Lawyer Shared Why D4vd’s Reactions in Preliminary Hearing Could Be Damaging at Trial
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, will soon go on trial for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke was in an illegal relationship with Hernandez, who was 14 at the time of her death. During a preliminary hearing, a judge determined that the prosecution had sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. An attorney shared what the defense will likely have to do ahead of the trial.
D4vd’s behavior at his preliminary hearing could cause problems for his lawyers
Burke currently faces charges of first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child, and the mutilation of human remains. As they move toward the trial, an attorney explained that Burke’s defense team will need to learn from the preliminary hearing.
“The preliminary hearing gave the defense a good dry run for the trial,” said criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett, of Austin, Texas-based Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey. “One thing they’ll want to work on is D4vd’s emotionless reaction to gruesome evidence. They will probably have him think about how to handle those situations with a more compassionate reaction.”
Bassett explained that while he has done this, there is only so much an attorney can do.
“I have worked with witness prep experts and psychologists and shown clients videotape of themselves testifying so they can see how they look to the jury,” he said. “It’s almost like getting ready to perform in a movie. But people are who they are, and there’s only so much a lawyer can do to influence how a client presents themselves in court.”
He shared the strategy D4vd’s lawyers might employ during the trial
Hernandez’s body was discovered in the trunk of Burke’s car. Bassett said that in order to explain this, Burke’s attorneys may need to pin the blame on one of his friends.
“When this goes to trial, his attorneys may try to pin the actual murder on someone who was in D4vd’s entourage and say he was at most just participating in a cover-up,” he said. “His defense team would have to find some hook to implicate a member of his entourage. But it’s still very early in this case and the defense’s first order of business will be to push back the trial as long as possible so as to reduce the sensationalism surrounding the trial and really pore over the evidence.”
His defense team has maintained his innocence
Burke pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His team has maintained that he is innocent.
“We believe that the evidence at trial will be overwhelming to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the three charges with which Mr. Burke will be charged,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said (via CNN).
Burke will return to court for a formal arraignment on August 31. His trial will likely take place in late 2026.
