Musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke) has dropped his private legal team in favour of public defenders while facing charges over the alleged killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. He made the request in person at a Los Angeles court, and Judge Charlaine Olmedo granted it before holding a closed meeting with his outgoing attorneys, whose past clients include Harvey Weinstein and labour leader David Huerta. The switch is notable given the seriousness of the charges and the high profile of the lawyers he is leaving behind.

At the same hearing, held after his preliminary hearing, Burke pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, which could make him eligible for the death penalty, as well as lewd acts with a child and dismembering a body. Burke was arrested on 16 April and ordered to stand trial in July after prosecutors linked him to Hernandez's death, allegedly motivated by her threat to expose their relationship and damage his career. His outgoing attorneys said they still support his defence and expressed confidence in the public defender's office taking over; his next hearing is scheduled for 19 October.