D4vd drops high-powered lawyers for public defender in Celeste Rivas Hernandez murder case
D4vd has dropped his high-powered private defense team and turned to a public defender after apparently running out of money defending charges of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.The singer – whose real name is David Burke –appeared in court Monday wearing an orange jumpsuit and glasses, with his hands unshackled after entering the courtroom.Celebrity attorney Blair Berk told the judge that Burke was seeking representation from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and asked for permission for herself and attorney Marilyn Bednarski to withdraw from the case.When the judge asked Burke whether that was his wish, he replied: “Yes, your honor.”The judge allowed Berk and Bednarski to withdraw and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office after Burke was determined to qualify for appointed counsel.Berk’s team turned over its case files to the public defender.Burke’s new attorney then sought to delay his arraignment, but the judge denied the request and entered not guilty pleas to all three charges on his behalf.A status conference was set for Oct.
19.In a statement following the hearing, Berk, Bednarski and attorney Regina Peter said: “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.“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.”The decision to drop his legal team arraignment comes ahead of an impending decision by Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman if he will face the death penalty if he’s found guilty.
A preliminary hearing just over a month ago saw horrific photos of Rivas’ dismembered body, damning new autopsy evidence, and text revelation...