American singer David Anthony Burke, popularly known as D4vd, is set to face trial in Los Angeles over the brutal killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
A judge has ruled D4vd to go on trial for murder, as the decision comes after five-day preliminary hearing, in which Los Angeles prosecutors questioned a dozen witnesses and displayed graphic photographic evidence while Celeste’s family watched on.
The 21-year-old artist has been charged with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
D4vd pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and sexual abuse, as he is scheduled to be charged on August 31, with the trial to start within 90 days of that date.
According to the evidence provided in court, it showed threats Celeste made to Burke on April 22, 2025, stemming from the arguments about his friendship with another girl. Celeste threatened to expose the relationship that could have destroyed D4vd’s music career.
D4vd’s defense lawyer stated that was not enough evidence that he had committed the crime, saying the parents of the girl were aware of what was going on between the two and had written consent for her to travel to London with D4vd for a week.
Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that evidence presented during the preliminary hearing provided cause for trial.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the evidence against D4vd would be presented in the coming trial and has also not yet determined whether it will pursue death penalty against him.