US singer D4vd's celebrity lawyers withdraw | Quik

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Watch: New lawyer for D4vd could take "additional time" to proceed, says district attorney

The celebrity lawyers hired to represent US musician D4vd in his upcoming murder trial have withdrawn from the case.

The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has been appointed a public defender to mount his defence against the charge of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, whose remains were found in September 2025 in a Tesla registered to his address.

Burke, 21, pleaded not guilty to the murder charges in a Los Angeles court on Monday.

A judge determined last month that he will stand trial for murder. Prosecutors have alleged he stabbed the teen after years of sexual abuse before dismembering her body.

Image source, Getty ImagesA pre-trial hearing is set for 19 October.

The statement said that D4vd "qualified for appointed counsel".

"We continue to support David and his defence against these serious charges," they said.

"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."

Berk, who led the defence team, has previously represented US actor Mel Gibson and film mogul Harvey Weinstein, as well as singer Britney Spears and actress Lindsay Lohan.

Deputy public defender Walid Kandeel said in a statement that Burke was "entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence".

"We are committed to providing him with that defence," he said.

US singer D4vd to go on trial for murder in death of 14-year-old

Published28 JulyLos Angeles County's top prosecutor, Nathan Hochman, said outside the courtroom on Monday that his office was "ready to proceed" with its case against Burke.

He also acknowledged that the singer's change in lawyers could delay proceedings, require additional time to review the evidence, or result in the filing of a motion to dismiss the case.

His team was ready for "zealous representation" by the defence, he said.

Burke had already entered a not guilty plea to charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains and child sexual abuse.

He returned to court on Monday to have the charges against him formally read and re-entered the plea.

The murder charges include special circumstances linked to financial gain that could make Burke potentially liable for the death sentence.

Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez because the teen had threatened to reveal his relationship with a minor and destroy his multi-million dollar music career.

Evidence read in Los Angeles court during the preliminary hearing showed threats she made against him on 22 April 2025, stemming from arguments about his friendship with another girl.

"I swear to GOD I will kill u," one expletive-laden text from Hernandez read, followed by a threat to strangle him and tell her dad lies about him. "i will end ur career and ur life I will damage anything," the text went on.

The following day, Hernandez went to Burke's Hollywood home in an Uber he had sent to pick her up.

Prosecutors alleged that Burke stabbed her once she arrived.

Texts reveal 14-year-old allegedly murdered by singer D4vd had pregnancy and abortion

Mel Stride and Priti Patel replaced in major Tory reshuffle

Shein shares slide in long-awaited stock market debut

Feeling nostalgic for summer? How to beat the back-to-work blues

Shein shares slide in long-awaited stock market debut

Orangutans in danger as wildfires blaze through Borneo. VideoOrangutans in danger as wildfires blaze through Borneo

The Papers: 'Kemi gets Tories battle ready' and 'Posh makes some dosh'

The jury's options in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial

The millennials swapping doom-scrolling for gardening

The mystery of why so many black Britons still can't swim

Dolly Parton laid to rest alongside husband in Nashville

Low-key noughties sitcom starring Robert Webb and Paula Wilcox

Keith Richards recalls how he wrote the iconic 'Satisfaction'

An unlikely gang set out to catch a killer who shattered rural peace

US army secretary resigns after months of tension

'Kemi gets Tories battle ready' and 'Posh makes some dosh'

'Baby Tommy's here, Chelsea's not': First-time mum dies in childbirth

Victoria Beckham's company makes its first profit after 18 years

New super flu vaccine rollout begins as NHS regroups from 'busiest summer'

Notting Hill Carnival revels in 60th anniversary celebrations

Nepal rescuers blast hillside in search of hydropower workers as families wait anxiously

Mel Stride and Priti Patel replaced in major Tory reshuffle

AI could cause global economic downturn, Andrew Bailey warns G20

Boy, 16, charged with murder and attempted murder