D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw from murder case

The celebrity lawyers representing US musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke) in his murder trial have withdrawn from the case. Burke, 21, has been appointed a public defender. He pleaded not guilty to murder charges in Los Angeles court on Monday. The charges relate to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in September 2025. Prosecutors allege he stabbed her after years of sexual abuse and dismembered her body. A pretrial hearing is set for 19 October. Lawyers Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter said the court granted their request to withdraw and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said Burke is entitled to a defense that carefully examines the evidence. Burke has also pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and child sexual abuse. The murder charges include special circumstances linked to financial gain that could make him liable for the death sentence.