LOS ANGELES (TCN) — A judge has ruled that there is enough evidence for 21-year-old David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, to stand trial in connection with the death and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Burke was charged in April with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney. Rivas Hernandez’s body was found decomposing and dismembered in a Tesla that allegedly belonged to Burke.
At Burke’s preliminary hearing, prosecutors displayed photos of Rivas Hernandez’s remains, and a homicide detective testified that Burke used an alias to order supplies to allegedly help dispose of her body, such as multiple chain saws, a body bag, and an inflatable pool.
O the final day of the hearing, prosecutors shared the alleged final texts between Rivas Hernandez and Burke, The Associated Press reports. The day before prosecutors allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez, the two argued via text, with Rivas Hernandez reportedly stating, “i will end ur career and ur life.”
Prosecutors allege Burke killed Rivas Hernandez over the threat to his career and fear of exposure of their alleged sexual relationship, which began when she was 13 years old and he was 18 years old, per the AP.
According to the AP, Burke’s defense team argued there was not enough evidence to charge Burke with murder. They asserted the medical examiner’s ruling on her cause of death was inconclusive evidence of murder and that Rivas Hernandez was the one who acted out of malice, not Burke.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled on July 27 that there was enough evidence for Burke to stand trial, per the AP. She stated, “The people have met their burden on all counts.”Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said, “Based on the mountains of evidence presented, all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required,” the AP reports.
Olmedo ordered that Burke continue to be held without bail, per the AP.
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