The legal battle surrounding singer D4vd took another significant turn as his attorneys challenged key parts of the prosecution's forensic investigation during a California court hearing. Rather than disputing every piece of evidence presented so far, the defense focused on how investigators handled DNA testing, arguing that several important items were never fully examined. The hearing forms part of the court's effort to determine whether enough evidence exists to send the case to trial.
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D4vd murder case defense focuses on forensic investigation
Thursday marked the third day of the preliminary hearing involving D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke. He faces charges of murder, sexual abuse of a child and mutilation of a body in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Burke has pleaded not guilty and continues to deny the allegations.
Defense attorney Blair Berk questioned Los Angeles Police Department criminalist Lauren Wallace about two small chain saws recovered from Burke's garage.
Prosecutors have alleged the tools were used after the teenager's death, but Wallace testified that chemical testing found no evidence of blood on either saw. Because of those findings, investigators did not collect touch DNA from the handles.
During cross-examination, Berk highlighted what she viewed as a gap in the investigation.
"If an item has somebody else's DNA on it, you wouldn't be able to see that at the time," Berk said.
"No you're not able to see touch DNA," Wallace said, then reiterated that the blades had tested negative for blood.
"But that doesn't preclude at all that there could be somebody else's touch DNA," Berk said.
Wallace later explained that investigators generally would not expect additional DNA testing inside a suspect's home because the suspect's DNA would naturally be found throughout the property. Berk responded by pointing out that several people lived at the residence, asking, "You were aware that multiple people lived at this residence, right?"
Wallace answered, "Yes, we were aware."
The forensic expert also testified that investigators found signs suggesting blood had been cleaned inside the garage. However, she confirmed officers also recovered containers of fake blood from the property. Berk suggested those materials may have been connected to Burke's music video productions.
Evidence, phone data and prosecution timeline remain central
Prosecutors continue to rely heavily on digital evidence as they seek to establish their timeline. A police detective testified that both Burke's cellphone records and Tesla location data placed him at his Hollywood home on the night of April 23, 2025, when investigators believe Rivas Hernandez was killed.
According to testimony, the vehicle later traveled to a remote area in Santa Barbara County roughly 95 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Authorities said Burke returned to the same area twice in May, including near the location where the victim's passport was eventually discovered by a highway worker.
Prosecutors also allege Burke began a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 while he was 18. Court filings claim the teenager threatened to expose the relationship before she was killed after becoming upset about Burke's involvement with other women.
They allege she was brought to his home on April 23, where she was fatally stabbed, and that her body remained hidden in the front trunk of his Tesla for several months before the vehicle was towed and searched in September.
Burke appeared calm throughout Thursday's proceedings, watching witness testimony closely and speaking with his legal team during breaks. Meanwhile, the victim's parents remained in the courtroom as the hearing continued. The judge will ultimately decide whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence for the case to proceed to a full criminal trial.
