Celeste Rivas' family leaves courtroom before autopsy report
The parents of Celeste Rivas left a courtroom during a preliminary hearing for David Burke, who is accused of her murder, to avoid hearing graphic autopsy details. The testimony revealed disturbing evidence regarding the condition of the victim's remains.
Why it matters
This case involves high-profile criminal proceedings and raises questions about the handling of sensitive evidence in public courtrooms.
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Add The California Post on Google The family of Celeste Rivas exited the courtroom before the gory details of the teen girl’s autopsy were revealed.
Rivas’ parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez , were both in attendance in the Los Anegeles courtroom for the majority of Thursday’s preliminary hearing — where singer D4vd, real name David Burke is accused of murdering Celeste.
However, just before Grant Ho, the Deputy Medical Examiner, took the stand, both parents left the courtroom. The family attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, stayed in the courtroom.
Ho detailed Rivas’ body as only weighing 71 pounds during the autopsy. “The body was markedly decomposed,” he said, adding there was “trauma to body, particularly the extremities.” Ho also said Rivas’ braces were discovered during the exam.
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