Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family is speaking out after D4vd was assigned a public defender in his murder case.
In a statement to Urban Hollywood 411, the family’s attorney challenged D4vd’s claim that he is indigent and qualifies for taxpayer-funded legal representation.
“David Anthony Burke is the owner and director of three LLC’s, including entertainment, merchandising and publishing companies,” said attorney Patrick Steinfeld.
He continued, “As owner, he controls the distribution of funds for these companies, so he should ‘direct’ one of his LCC’s to distribute funds to him rather than claiming he’s broke and forcing taxpayers to reach into their pockets to pay for his defense.”
Related: D4vd Ordered to Trial as Detective Details What Celeste’s Parents Knew
The attorney’s comments came after D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to three felony charges: first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
That same day, Burke’s private defense team, which included attorneys Blair Berk and Marilyn Bednarski, handed the case over to Los Angeles County Public Defender Walid Kandeel.
During a five-day preliminary hearing in July, the 21-year-old singer’s former financial manager Benjamin Greger testified that Burke earned roughly $10 million to $11.5 million in gross income from recording, merchandise and music publishing between 2023 and 2025.
Greger also testified about discussions involving Texas properties held by Burke and a possible transfer of those properties to the singer’s mother, Colleen Burke.
Prosecutors alleged the TikTok star killed 14-year-old Rivas Hernandez to prevent the teenager from going public about their alleged sexual relationship and damaging his growing music career.
As previously reported, the teen’s decomposed body was discovered on Sept. 8, 2025, inside Burke’s impounded Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard. Investigators found dismembered human remains inside plastic bags in the vehicle’s front trunk.
After the preliminary hearing, Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause for Burke to stand trial.
Rivas Hernandez’s family said in a statement this week, “We as a family only want justice for Celeste and for whoever is responsible to face the full force of the law. And we thank everyone for supporting our daughter in every way.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office said Burke was properly evaluated.
“We’re not at liberty to disclose financial information. Our office has done a thorough financial evaluation and determined that David Burke is eligible for representation by the Public Defender’s Office,” a spokesperson told Rolling Stone.
Burke remains jailed without bail and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 19 for a status conference.
Watch our report from outside the courthouse on the day Burke pleaded not guilty:
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