D4vd has replaced the three prominent private attorneys who had been defending him as his murder case moves toward trial, with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office now taking over his representation.
The 21-year-old singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 31. Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter were permitted to withdraw, while Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel stepped in to represent Burke.
Burke then entered not guilty pleas to three charges stemming from the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez: murder with special-circumstance allegations, continuous ***** ual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The hearing followed a July preliminary proceeding in which Judge Charlaine Olmedo found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed toward trial.
The next status conference is set for Oct. 19, and no trial date has been scheduled. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman also said prosecutors still have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Berk told the court that Burke wanted new representation, and his former attorneys later said the judge granted their request to withdraw after Burke was determined to qualify for appointed counsel, according to Reuters.
#trial
The 21-year-old singer, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 31. Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter were permitted to withdraw, while Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel stepped in to represent Burke.
Burke then entered not guilty pleas to three charges stemming from the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez: murder with special-circumstance allegations, continuous ***** ual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. The hearing followed a July preliminary proceeding in which Judge Charlaine Olmedo found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed toward trial.
The next status conference is set for Oct. 19, and no trial date has been scheduled. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman also said prosecutors still have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Berk told the court that Burke wanted new representation, and his former attorneys later said the judge granted their request to withdraw after Burke was determined to qualify for appointed counsel, according to Reuters.
#trial
2 months ago
