D4vd’s private lawyers withdraw from case: Why did he switch to a public defender?
Singer D4vd, legally known as David Anthony Burke, has switched from private counsel to a public defender in his ongoing first-degree murder case. The transition occurred during an August 2026 hearing, with the court confirming his eligibility for appointed representation.
Why it matters
The change in legal representation for a high-profile defendant highlights the procedural shifts in complex criminal cases and the ongoing judicial process regarding the death of a minor.
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, now has a different legal team handling the murder case against him. At an August 31, 2026 hearing, his private attorneys were allowed to step away from representing him, and the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office was appointed in their place. Burke confirmed the change in court and pleaded not guilty again. The move comes after months of high-profile proceedings surrounding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Abigail Rivas Hernandez. The singer remains in custody without bail while the case moves forward. A judge had already found enough evidence for the charges to proceed after a roughly five-day preliminary hearing in July. His next hearing is scheduled for October 2026.
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