Photo Credit: Getty Images
Singer D4vd has been assigned a public defender after his previous legal team withdrew from the case involving the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
During a court appearance on August 31, attorney Blair Berk informed the court that D4vd wanted to obtain representation from the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo reportedly asked the singer whether that was his wish, and he confirmed that it was.
Public defender Walid Fouad Kandee subsequently emerged from the courtroom gallery and joined D4vd as his newly appointed counsel.
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is facing charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His previous lawyers, Berk and Regina Peter, said the court had granted their request to withdraw after determining that Burke qualified for appointed legal representation.
The attorneys said they continued to support Burke and his defence while expressing confidence in the public defender's office.
The change in representation comes as the case continues to attract significant public attention. Authorities have accused D4vd in connection with the death of Hernandez, whose remains were discovered inside the trunk of an impounded Tesla belonging to the singer.
According to prosecutors, D4vd allegedly lured Hernandez to his home on April 23, 2025, before fatally stabbing her and dismembering her body. Prosecutors have also alleged that messages between the two indicated a sexual relationship when Hernandez was 13.
The allegations are part of a case in which prosecutors have presented serious accusations against the singer. D4vd has denied the charges through his not guilty plea and remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has publicly described the allegations as particularly disturbing, while the defence maintains that Burke is entitled to a thorough examination of the evidence against him.
The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office acknowledged the gravity of the case while stressing its responsibility to provide Burke with a full defence.
"We recognize the loss of life underlying the allegations," the office said, while also emphasizing that Burke is entitled to representation that carefully examines his circumstances and the evidence.
D4vd was arrested in April, approximately seven months after Hernandez's remains were discovered. His transition to a public defender now places the case in a new legal phase as his appointed attorneys prepare to take over his defence.
The singer's next court appearance is scheduled for October 19, when proceedings are expected to continue as both sides prepare for the next stage of the case.
