D4Vd’S Top Lawyers Drop Murder Case – Public Defender Now Representing Singer

High-profile attorneys withdraw – public defender takes over

In a courtroom development that felt more like Malibu-style drama than a legal routine, the high-profile lawyers for singer D4vd have officially stepped away from his murder case. Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter told the judge they could no longer represent David Anthony Burke because he can’t afford their fees, and the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office was appointed to take over.

The move shocked observers who expect celebrities to keep pricey legal teams around. High-profile defense attorneys like Berk often command fees in the seven figures for a murder trial in Los Angeles and beyond, which is why the switch to court-appointed counsel added a very public question mark about Burke’s finances.

"After reviewing his financial situation the court allowed us to withdraw and an appointed public defender was assigned to the case," a legal source said.

What Burke is charged with – the allegations

Who the accused and victim are

David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is 21 years old. He has been charged with killing his underaged girlfriend, Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Prosecutors say the relationship included allegations that Burke forced Hernandez to get an abortion.

Details prosecutors revealed

Authorities say Hernandez was 14 years old. The prosecutor’s office stunned the courtroom by revealing she had been previously pregnant and had an abortion, a detail that figures into the broader criminal case.

Money, contracts and questions about assets

Record deal and reported advances

It’s not clear what happened to Burke’s reported millions. He signed his first recording contract with Interscope Records when he was 17 — a deal TMZ reports included at least a $3 million advance for an EP, an album and other deliverables.

Reportedly, that advance was paid in stages: a $500,000 lump sum up front, then $250,000 and later $2,250,000. The contract allegedly could have grown in value to as much as $6 million. On top of that, Burke reportedly earned millions from touring and record sales.

Public records and reporting also note he owned at least two homes in Texas and drove a small fleet of cars, including a Tesla. Yet the withdrawal of his private team raises questions about where those assets and earnings stand now.

Discovery, arrest and the timeline

The case’s grim turning point came on September 8, 2025, when a tow yard worker discovered Hernandez’s decomposing body in the front trunk of Burke’s Tesla while he was on tour. That discovery launched a long investigation.

After that probe, Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and formally charged with Hernandez’s murder. With his private attorneys out and a public defender now representing him, the case will continue to unfold in Los Angeles courts.

Next steps and lingering questions

The public defender’s office will now guide Burke through pretrial matters and the next stages of the prosecution. For many watching from LA to Texas, the focus is shifting to how the defense will handle the allegations and the surprising financial turn in a case that began as a headline-making celebrity story.

For now, one of the biggest unanswered questions is financial – namely where Burke’s reported wealth went and how that will affect his legal strategy moving forward.