LOS ANGELES (Court TV) — Attorneys representing a singer-songwriter accused of murdering a teenager found dismembered in the artist’s car have tried to undermine the prosecution’s case, questioning why some evidence wasn’t tested.
David ‘d4vd’ Burke appears at his preliminary hearing on July 23, 2026. (Sketch by Mona Edwards)
David Burke, 21, known professionally as the singer “d4vd,” has appeared in the same black glasses and orange jail jumpsuit each day of his preliminary hearing this week. Prosecutors are presenting evidence that Burke killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, dismembered her and disposed of her body in his car. Burke has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Testimony from criminalists at the dayslong hearing has offered new information about the evidence investigators say was found at Burke’s home. Los Angeles Police Department criminalist Lauren Wallace testified that while two chain saws were found in the singer’s home, tests for blood came back negative. Criminalists did no further testing on the tools…