US singer D4vd will stand trial on murder and other serious charges after a Los Angeles judge ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
The ruling followed a five-day preliminary hearing during which prosecutors called multiple witnesses and presented evidence relating to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were discovered last September in a Tesla registered to the singer’s address.
The musician, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that “The people have met their burden on all counts,” adding that prosecutors had established probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.
Prosecutors alleged Burke fatally stabbed the teenager before dismembering her body, claiming he acted to prevent her from exposing their relationship and damaging his music career.
During the hearing, prosecutors presented text messages they said were exchanged between the pair shortly before the girl’s death, including messages in which Hernandez allegedly threatened to reveal the relationship and “end ur career and ur life.”
Investigators also told the court that Burke allegedly ordered items including body bags, chainsaws, a shovel and an inflatable pool in the days following the girl’s disappearance. Prosecutors argued the purchases formed part of the evidence linking him to the alleged crime.
However, Burke’s defence team argued the evidence was insufficient, noting that forensic testing found no blood on chainsaws recovered from his garage and that investigators had no surveillance footage placing him at home on the night prosecutors say the killing occurred.
The defence also maintained that Hernandez had misrepresented her age to Burke, claiming she told him she was older, and argued that her parents were aware of the relationship.
Following the ruling, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors had presented only a portion of the evidence gathered and would disclose the full case during trial.
Burke is scheduled to be formally arraigned on 31 August, with the trial expected to begin within 90 days. Prosecutors said they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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