D4vd enters not guilty plea on all charges

The case against David Anthony Burke, professionally known as D4vd, now moves to trial after he entered not guilty pleas on every count at the August 31, 2026 rearraignment. Prosecutors allege first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. This D4vd Update lays out the exact charges, the procedural path from arrest to trial, and the stakes that remain unchanged by the pleas.

Arraignment and counsel change

Burke pleaded not guilty at the initial April 2026 arraignment and again on August 31 after private counsel withdrew and public defenders took over. The switch delayed proceedings but did not alter the charges or the judge’s earlier probable-cause findings.

Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo found sufficient evidence on all counts after a five-day preliminary hearing in July 2026. That ruling locked in the full slate of allegations for trial, including the special circumstances that prosecutors say make Burke eligible for life without parole or the death penalty.

The next status conference is set for January 11, 2027, with a trial window opening around February 2027. Defense attorneys have signaled they will contest every element of the prosecution’s case.

Count one murder charge

Count one alleges first-degree murder committed while lying in wait, for financial gain, and to silence a witness. Prosecutors claim Burke invited Hernandez to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, after she threatened to expose their relationship and damage his career.

An alleged text message from Hernandez the night before her death read, “i will end ur career and ur life.” Prosecutors cite this message as evidence of motive tied to protecting Burke’s rising profile and major-label deal.

The complaint also includes an allegation that Burke personally used a sharp instrument, elevating the charge to first-degree murder with special circumstances. The defense maintains the evidence will show Burke neither caused nor committed the murder.

Sexual abuse allegations

Count two charges continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, beginning in fall 2023 when Hernandez was 13. Prosecutors allege repeated lewd acts over several months, meeting the legal threshold for a continuous-abuse count.

The count carries its own sentencing enhancements and is presented separately from the murder charge. The defense has not yet detailed its response to this allegation beyond the general not-guilty plea.

Media coverage has focused on the age difference and timeline, but the legal question at trial will center on whether the prosecution can prove the acts occurred and met the statutory definition of continuous abuse.

Mutilation of remains count

Count three alleges unlawful mutilation of human remains. Hernandez’s dismembered body was discovered in September 2025 inside the frunk of Burke’s impounded Tesla, stored in bags.

Prosecutors must prove Burke dismembered or concealed the body with intent to hide evidence. The defense has not offered a public theory on how the remains came to be in the vehicle.

This count stands independently of the murder charge and carries its own penalties, though it will likely be tried alongside the other two counts for efficiency.

Preliminary hearing outcome

The five-day July 2026 preliminary hearing produced testimony and exhibits that Judge Olmedo found sufficient to bind the case over for trial. The defense cross-examined witnesses but did not present its own case at that stage.

Probable-cause findings do not determine guilt; they only establish that a trial is warranted. The not-guilty pleas preserve Burke’s right to contest every element before a jury.

Both sides now shift focus to discovery, pre-trial motions, and jury selection scheduled for early 2027.

Bail status and custody

Burke has remained in Los Angeles County jail without bail since his April 16, 2026 arrest. The court cited the seriousness of the charges and flight risk concerns in denying release.

Defense requests for bail review have not altered the custody order. Public defenders have indicated they will continue to seek manageable trial conditions while preparing the case.

Extended pretrial detention is common in capital-eligible cases and is expected to continue through the February 2027 trial window.

Media coverage patterns

Initial reporting centered on Burke’s rapid TikTok-driven rise and the discovery of remains in his Tesla. Coverage has since shifted to procedural updates and the specific charges rather than career retrospectives.

Outlets including Rolling Stone, AP, and Deadline have tracked each court date, with emphasis on the special-circumstances allegations and potential penalties. Public discussion on social platforms has followed the same timeline-driven focus.

No new evidence has been released since the preliminary hearing, keeping attention on the legal process rather than unverified claims.

Defense strategy signals

At the first arraignment, attorneys stated they believe the evidence will show Burke did not murder Hernandez and was not the cause of her death. The August 31 not-guilty plea on all counts reaffirmed that position.

Public defenders have not yet filed detailed pre-trial motions, but the not-guilty stance on every charge indicates a full contest rather than plea negotiations at this stage.

Observers note that capital cases often see defense teams challenge each special circumstance separately to reduce sentencing exposure even if a conviction occurs.

Trial timeline ahead

The January 11, 2027 status conference will set motion deadlines and confirm the February trial date. Both sides expect extensive pre-trial litigation over evidence admissibility and jury selection procedures.

Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek the death penalty, though the special circumstances keep that option open. The defense will likely file motions to strike or limit those allegations before trial.

Any plea discussions would occur under seal and have not been signaled publicly after the August rearraignment.

Case path forward

The not-guilty pleas close the arraignment phase and open the pre-trial window that will determine what evidence reaches the jury. With the charges fixed and the timeline set, the case now hinges on discovery disputes and motions that will shape the trial record.