Photo credit: D4vd (Instagram)
The D4vd case returned to court as the attorney representing the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez sharply criticized the defense’s courtroom strategy, saying his clients were left “horrified” by arguments presented during the preliminary hearing.
Attorney Patrick Steinfeld spoke with reporters outside a Los Angeles courtroom after proceedings concluded on July 27. He said the family appreciated continued public attention on the case but found the defense’s approach deeply upsetting.
According to Steinfeld, defense attorneys introduced claims that had previously been ruled inadmissible during the preliminary hearing. He alleged they suggested Celeste may have died by suicide or had displayed violent behavior, despite what he described as a lack of evidence supporting those assertions.
Steinfeld argued that these claims unfairly shifted blame onto the teenage victim and attempted to undermine the prosecution’s case.
D4vd case centers on victim’s age
Steinfeld also pointed to a welfare check conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Feb. 17, 2024.
He said a deputy informed David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, that Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 13 years old. According to Steinfeld, this contradicts the defense’s argument that the singer believed she was an adult.
The attorney maintained that the prosecution’s case relies on evidence showing the defendant had direct knowledge of the victim’s age. He argued that this information is central to several of the charges filed in the case.
Steinfeld added that he believes the defense has no legal basis for shifting responsibility to the victim. He described those efforts as disturbing and said the family was devastated by the arguments made in court.
Prosecutors say more evidence will be presented
Following a five-day preliminary hearing, the judge ordered Burke to stand trial.
He faces charges that include murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. Burke has not been convicted, and he has the right to contest the allegations in court.
A post-preliminary arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 31.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said the evidence presented during the preliminary hearing represented only a small portion of the prosecution’s overall case.
He added that the victim’s family has endured an unimaginable ordeal while listening to testimony describing the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s death.
During his remarks, Steinfeld also criticized references connected to Burke’s 2022 song “Romantic Homicide,” saying he found the title deeply troubling in light of the allegations. The comments reflected the family’s emotional response but do not constitute evidence in the criminal proceedings.
As the D4vd case moves toward trial, prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to continue disputing key pieces of evidence before a jury ultimately determines the outcome. Burke remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: Complex, Associated Press
About the Author
