D4vd lawyers challenge police testing of evidence found in singer’s home
On the third day of a hearing to determine if singer D4vd will stand trial for murder and child sexual abuse, his attorneys scrutinized how law enforcement selected items for testing, signaling potential defense strategies.
Attorneys for the singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, challenged the methods used by law enforcement to test evidence collected from his home during the third day of a preliminary hearing. The hearing will decide whether Burke faces trial for murder and child sexual abuse. Prosecutors allege that Burke fatally stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez last year to prevent her from exposing their sexual relationship as his music career was rising. Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains.
Earlier this week, prosecutors presented evidence of possible blood traces found in Burke’s former Hollywood Hills residence and his Tesla. On Thursday, defense attorney Blair Berk questioned Los Angeles police criminalist Lauren Wallace about why certain items, including chainsaws from the singer’s garage, were not tested. Berk suggested that other individuals may have lived in the home, asking, “You were aware that multiple people lived at this residence, right?” Wallace confirmed they were aware. The exchange previewed how the defense might seek to weaken the prosecution’s case at trial.
On Wednesday, California Highway Patrol officer Sean Buenrostro testified about a Caltrans worker finding a passport with Rivas Hernandez’s name and photo in January 2026 on a dirt embankment off State Route 154 in Santa Barbara. Buenrostro responded after the worker alerted law enforcement. During cross-examination, defense attorney Regina Peter cast doubt on the passport’s location, asking whether the officer had ruled out it being moved by a storm or weather issue.
Prosecutors also called a detective on Thursday who testified that cellular data and Tesla records showed Burke traveled to the area where Rivas Hernandez’s passport was found. The hearing is expected to conclude by early next week.
