Judge Orders Singer D4vd to Stand Trial for Death of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
- A Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that sufficient evidence exists to send singer D4vd to trial for the death and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
- Judge Charlaine Olmedo found probable cause following a five-day preliminary hearing, upholding charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14, and illegal mutilation of human remains.
- Prosecutors alleged the victim had threatened to expose her relationship with D4vd and damage his career before her death.
- D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is 21 years old and had a rapidly rising music career before the accusations emerged.
- Burke pleaded not guilty and showed no emotion as the judge delivered her ruling.
- The judge ordered Burke to remain held without bail; defense attorneys declined to comment after the decision.
A Los Angeles judge ruled Monday that singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, must stand trial on charges related to the death and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Judge Charlaine Olmedo made the determination after a five-day preliminary hearing, finding probable cause on all three charges: murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14, and illegal mutilation of human remains.
Prosecutors allege that Hernandez had threatened to expose her relationship with the 21-year-old singer and derail his career before her death. The victim's remains were found inside a vehicle belonging to Burke. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said the evidence against him was overwhelming.
Burke, who had a rapidly rising music career before the accusations surfaced, pleaded not guilty and showed no visible emotion as the judge delivered her ruling. Judge Olmedo noted that the probable cause standard applied in a preliminary hearing is significantly lower than what is required at trial, and she ordered Burke to remain held without bail. Defense attorneys declined to comment following the decision.
法官裁定歌手D4vd就14岁少女塞莱斯特之死接受审判
洛杉矶一名法官周一裁定，真名大卫·安东尼·伯克的歌手D4vd须就14岁少女塞莱斯特·里瓦斯·埃尔南德斯遭杀害及分尸一案接受正式审判。法官夏琳·奥尔梅多在经历为期五天的初步听证后作出裁定，认定三项指控均存在合理理由，分别为谋杀、持续性侵14岁以下未成年人及非法毁损遗体。
检察官称，受害人埃尔南德斯在遇害前曾威胁要公开其与这名21岁歌手之间的关系，并扬言毁掉他的演艺事业。受害人的遗体被发现于伯克名下的一辆车内。洛杉矶县地方检察官办公室表示，针对伯克的证据十分充分。
伯克在指控曝光前音乐事业正处于上升期，他当庭表示无罪，法官宣读裁决时神情平静、未见任何情绪波动。奥尔梅多法官指出，初步听证所适用的合理理由标准远低于正式审判的要求，并下令伯克继续羁押、不得交保。辩护律师在裁决宣布后拒绝发表评论。