Saturday, October 17, 2026

U.S. singer D4vd’s lawyers withdraw from murder case

The attorneys did not give any reason for withdrawing from the case.

• August 31, 2026

Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, lawyers representing U.S. singer David Burke, popularly known as D4vd, withdrew from his case on Monday, with public defender Walid Kandeel taking over his defence ahead of his second arraignment on charges of murdering 14-year-old girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

The attorneys did not give any reason for withdrawing from the case.

Mr Kandeel assured the singer that he would provide him with a defence and also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.

He said, “We recognise the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving.

At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defence.”

Mr Kandeel also requested that the singer’s arraignment be postponed, after he had not pleaded guilty to the charges, which include first-degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.

However, the judge rejected the request and set the defendant’s next scheduled court date for October 19.

Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles District Attorney, said that the change in the 21-year-old’s legal representation would not affect the case, but that the death penalty was being considered because his former representatives did not submit their mitigation packet before withdrawing from the case.

Mr Hochman added that the new public defender could still submit one.

Prosecutors alleged that the singer killed the teenager because she allegedly threatened to expose their alleged sexual relationship, which could have damaged his music career.

During a preliminary hearing last month, evidence and testimony were presented before the court. A judge ordered him to stand trial.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

United Nations

Heading 1

UN lauds Nigeria for full payment of $4.77 million regular budget contribution

Farhan Haq announced the payment during a press briefing at UN headquarters in New York.

APC LOGO

States

Ex-Unilorin VC, eminent Kwara indigenes rally support for APC candidates

The committee is committed to resolving disagreements arising from the party’s primaries in the state.

Taiwo Oyedele

Heading 4

FG says no return to fuel subsidy, multiple exchange rates

The minister said the government’s priority was to convert international confidence in its reforms into investment.

INEC Photo (Credit: Punch Newspapers)

States

2027: INEC vows credible poll in Akwa Ibom, urges support for PWDs

The NOA official urged physically challenged persons to obtain their voter cards with the aid of trusted people

former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe

Heading 2

Ogundipe urges human rights advocates to defend all victims

He identified personal, political, ethnic and economic interests as obstacles to effective human rights protection.

Attendees at the Consultative Forum

States

Edo reviews VAPP law to bolster gender-based violence response 

Ms Nwokedi commended the Edo State Government for taking steps to strengthen prevention and response to gender-based violence.