D4vd’s legal team abruptly withdraws; singer taps public defender for murder trial

D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, is accused of killing Celeste Rivas, 14, whose mutilated remains were found in his Tesla.

LOS ANGELES — D4vd and his legal team parted ways, with the singer opting instead to be represented by public defenders in his high-profile murder case, he told a stunned courtroom Monday.

After lawyers had met with Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo in chambers, defense attorney Blair Berk emerged and told the court that her client, whose real name is David Burke, wants the public defender.

“Is that your wish, Mr. Burke?” Olmedo asked.

Burke responded, “Yes.”

The surprising turnaround came during what normally would have been a routine pretrial hearing in this case, in which Burke is accused of killing a 14-year-old girl, whose decaying remains were found in the trunk of his abandoned car.