In a surprising turn during a pretrial hearing, David Burke—also known as D4vd, a popular internet personality—chose to be represented by public defenders in his high-profile murder case. The singer told the court he wanted to end his relationship with his current legal team, which included attorney Blair Berk. Judge Charlaine Olmedo of Los Angeles County Superior Court confirmed Burke's decision after meeting privately with his former attorneys. Burke is accused of the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found in the trunk of his abandoned car. Following the change, Burke was represented by public defender Walid Fouad Kandeel. Kandeel asked for more time to review the case, but the judge denied the request and entered not guilty pleas on Burke's behalf. The court set a return date for October 19. Burke, who remains in custody without bail, was seen smiling and shaking hands with his former attorneys as the hearing ended. Burke was arrested on April 16 at a home in the Hollywood Hills. Police later discovered Celeste's remains in the trunk of a Tesla that had been impounded at Hollywood Tow on September 8. The car came to the attention of authorities because of a foul odor. Text messages between Burke and Celeste suggested that she had become pregnant at age 13 and had an abortion. In a message from early January 2024, Burke apologized for "putting her through this." Burke's former legal team said the decision to switch to public defenders was made after confirming that Burke qualified for appointed counsel. They continued to support his defense against the serious charges. The public defender's office expressed condolences to the victim's family and emphasized their commitment to providing a strong defense for Burke. The reasons for the change in legal representation were not immediately clear. District Attorney Nathan Hochman noted that the public defender would offer Burke a zealous defense, meaning they would work hard to protect his legal interests. This case has drawn significant public attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendant and the tragic circumstances surrounding the victim. As the legal process moves forward, the court will continue to examine the evidence and determine the next steps in the case.