<p id=”par-1_78″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/new-music-from-accused-murdered-d4vd-briefly-appeared-on-spotify.html/”>Singer D4vd</a>, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is currently at the center of a multi-day preliminary hearing ahead of a potential trial. Prosecutors have accused Burke, who is 21, of killing <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/d4vds-former-friend-claims-she-confronted-the-singer-about-celeste-rivas-hernandezs-age.html/”>14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez</a> to prevent her from revealing their relationship. The preliminary hearing will determine whether or not the case can proceed to trial. Burke pleaded not guilty, but an expert believes that there is little chance that the case won’t go to trial.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-d4vd-is-in-a-preliminary-hearing-to-determine-if-his-case-will-go-to-trial”>D4vd is in a preliminary hearing to determine if his case will go to trial</h2>
<p id=”par-2_44″>In 2025, Hernandez’s body was found in the trunk of Burke’s car, where it had been for months. Burke and Hernandez had allegedly been in a relationship since 2023, when Hernandez turned 13. Burke was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in April 2026.</p>
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<p id=”par-3_84″>“We would like to thank the Los Angeles Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office for their hard work. We would like to thank the people of Lake Elsinore for all their support,” Hernandez’s family said in a statement, per <a target=”_blank” href=”https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/d4vd-charged-with-celeste-rivas-hernandez-tesla-body-found/” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>CBS News</a>. “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply.”</p>
<p id=”par-4_29″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/accused-murderer-d4vd-silent-first-court-appearance-photo.html/”>The preliminary hearing</a> began on July 21. Prosecutors will argue their case before Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo decides whether there is enough probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-an-attorney-weighed-in-on-d4vd-s-chances-of-going-to-trial”>An attorney weighed in on D4vd’s chances of going to trial</h2>
<p id=”par-5_42″>Burke’s preliminary hearing will not end in a verdict. Instead, Judge Olmedo will determine whether or not they can proceed to trial. Los Angeles-based personal injury and wrongful death attorney <a href=”https://cd-lawyers.com/our-team/miguel-custodio-jr/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Miguel Custodio</a> has little doubt that the case <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/d4vds-rise-to-fame-and-fall-from-grace-key-moments.html/”>will go to trial</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-6_72″>“A preliminary hearing doesn’t determine whether a defendant is guilty or innocent,” said Custodio. “The judge’s job is to determine whether prosecutors have enough substantial evidence for the case to move forward. Based on the amount of evidence prosecutors are expected to present, I have no doubt in my mind that the evidence presented in this case is enough for it to move forward to trial once the preliminary hearing is complete.”</p>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
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<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/district-attorney-talks-murder-motive-in-d4vd-press-conference.html/”>
District Attorney Talks Murder Motive in D4vd Press Conference </a>
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<p id=”par-7_12″>He noted that the digital evidence is particularly significant in this case.</p>
<p id=”par-8_46″>“Prosecutors have presented a significant amount of evidence, including Uber records and text messages. In today’s world we are seeing more and more digital footprints that lead to a timeline of a 23 person’s movements and interactions,” Custodio said. “The evidence points in the same direction.”</p>
<p id=”par-9_24″>He also said that with the amount of evidence, the defense’s goal will likely be to create reasonable doubt. Burke has <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/former-d4vd-friend-aysia-collins-calls-him-a-psychopath-who-betrayed-everyone-around-him.html/”>pleaded not guilty</a>.</p>
<p id=”par-10_52″>“With DNA evidence, autopsy findings, records showing Burke allegedly purchased chainsaws, and additional evidence presented by prosecutors, the defense’s goal won’t be to dispute every piece of it, but instead create reasonable doubt,” Custodio said. “Their strategy will likely be to focus on challenging inconsistencies in the evidence to help their client.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-his-attorneys-believes-a-jury-will-find-him-not-guilty”>His attorneys believes a jury will find him not guilty</h2>
<p id=”par-11_19″>Burke’s legal team has maintained that he is innocent. They have said that the evidence will back this up.</p>
<p id=”par-12_26″>“We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez nor was he the cause of her death,” an attorney said.</p>
<p id=”par-13_10″>Burke’s family has also stood behind him since his arrest.</p>