US singer D4vd has been ordered to stand trial for the alleged murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in a vehicle linked to the musician last year.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence during a five-day preliminary hearing to establish probable cause for the case to proceed.
D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, child sexual abuse and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Prosecutors allege Burke killed Hernandez after she threatened to expose their relationship and damage his music career.
They claim he stabbed the teenager before dismembering her body, and have included special circumstances allegations involving financial gain, lying in wait and witness elimination, which could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
During the hearing, prosecutors presented testimony from 12 witnesses and displayed graphic evidence as Hernandez’s family attended the proceedings.
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A homicide detective also testified that Burke had purchased items including a body bag, chainsaws, an inflatable pool and a shovel in the days after Hernandez’s death.
Investigators said Burke ordered chainsaws and a shovel after 23 April, when prosecutors allege Hernandez was killed. However, police criminalist Lauren Wallace testified that chainsaws recovered from Burke’s garage tested negative for blood, and no DNA testing was conducted on them.
The defence argued that prosecutors had not provided enough evidence linking Burke to the killing. His lawyers pointed to messages showing Hernandez had insisted on visiting Burke’s Hollywood Hills home and argued that he had continued to express care for her after their relationship ended.
The defence also questioned the medical examiner’s inability to determine how the two penetrating wounds found on Hernandez occurred and highlighted the lack of surveillance footage showing Burke at home on the night prosecutors believe the killing took place.
A detective testified that messages between Burke and Hernandez showed they had attended church with her family and that the teenager had allegedly given different ages to Burke, telling him at different times that she was 16 and 18.
Burke is due back in court on 31 August, when the charges will be formally read. The trial is expected to begin within 90 days of that hearing.
Following the ruling, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors had presented only part of their evidence during the preliminary hearing and would introduce additional evidence during the trial. He added that his office had not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
BBC
