A Los Angeles judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence for musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke) to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, following a five-day preliminary hearing. The decision does not establish guilt but clears the way for a full jury trial, where prosecutors will face the higher "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard rather than the "probable cause" threshold used in the preliminary hearing. D4vd, who denies the allegations, faces charges including first-degree murder, child sexual abuse and mutilating a body.

Prosecutors allege the 21-year-old singer stabbed and dismembered Rivas to protect his career after she threatened to expose their illegal sexual relationship. No trial date has been set; D4vd, currently in custody, is due to be arraigned on 31 August, with a trial possible as soon as two months later. The charges are eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to pursue it, and a plea deal remains possible, as seen in comparable cases such as that of Bryan Kohberger.