Photo Credit: Wesley Tingey
A judge ruled that D4vd must stand trial for the killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, found dead in his car last year.
On Monday, a judge ruled that there is sufficient evidence for singer D4vd to stand trial for the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who authorities believe threatened to expose their relationship and jeopardize his budding music career.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo found that the evidence presented during a preliminary hearing last week provided probable cause and should go to trial. The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, faces charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
The hearing began last Tuesday with prosecutors showing photos taken from the crime scene and the autopsy. Prosecutors claimed Burke purchased two cadaver bags, a shovel, and three different chainsaws, as well as an inflatable pool and a burn cage in the weeks following Hernandez’s murder. The girl’s dismembered body was found in multiple bags in the front trunk of Burke’s impounded Tesla last fall.
An LAPD criminalist stated that blood found inside Burke’s garage was consistent with Rivas Hernandez’s DNA. Nearly a dozen air fresheners were found in the car where her body was discovered. Prosecutors also alleged that Hernandez and Burke exchanged texts about terminating a pregnancy, and messages shown in court suggested that the girl had threatened to destroy Burke’s career just a day before her death.
“Based on the mountains of evidence presented, all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required,” said Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman also noted outside the courtroom that prosecutors presented only a “small fraction” of the evidence they have against Burke.
Burke was arrested in April of this year and charged days later with first-degree murder. It’s a charge that could make him potentially eligible for the death penalty should the prosecution opt to seek it, due to probable cause for lying in wait, killing for financial gain, and killing a potential witness. He also faces charges for lewd acts with a child and for dismembering her body. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and prosecutors have not announced whether they intend to seek the death penalty.
The judge ordered that Burke continue to be held without bail. An arraignment will be held on August 31, and a trial could begin as soon as 60 days thereafter.
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