Platinum-recording artist D4vd entered a not guilty plea during a court appearance Monday, maintaining his innocence against allegations he sexually abused, murdered, and dismembered a 14-year-old girl. The singer also made a significant change to his legal representation, transitioning from prominent defense attorneys to public defenders appointed by Los Angeles County.
High-profile lawyers Blair Berk and Marilyn Bednarski stepped down from the case following the hearing. In a statement, the attorneys indicated their departure was voluntary and emphasized their continued support for the defendant, though they declined to elaborate on how he qualified for publicly funded legal representation given his financial success in the music industry.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, faces three serious charges related to the alleged April 2025 incident. His newly assigned public defender, Walid Kandeel, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. A preliminary hearing concluded in late July when a judge determined prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, based on testimony from approximately a dozen witnesses including law enforcement officers and financial employees from Burke’s record label.
The next court hearing is scheduled for October 19, with no trial date currently set. Burke remains in custody as the case continues through the legal system.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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