Prosecutors in the murder trial of singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, have argued that he had a financial motive to kill 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found in gruesome conditions in a car registered to him. At a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, an executive from Interscope Records testified that Burke held a multimillion-dollar recording deal, which prosecutors say gave him a motive to silence Rivas Hernandez to protect his rising career.

Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains; his defence maintains he "was not the cause" of her death. Prosecutors allege he stabbed her to death at his Los Angeles home and have presented evidence including photos of her dismembered body and records showing he used credit cards to buy chainsaws, a body bag and a shovel. The hearing, expected to last three to five days, follows Burke's arrest in April, after which he has been held without bail; he faces the death penalty or life without parole if convicted, and Rivas Hernandez's family attended court seeking "justice for Celeste".