Prosecutors are building a financial motive narrative against D4vd, the recording artist born David Anthony Burke, arguing the musician stood to lose everything if a 14-year-old girl revealed the sexual nature of their relationship as his career ascended. An Interscope Records executive took the witness stand Wednesday to detail the lucrative recording contract that prosecutors say gave Burke reason to kill Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The testimony came on day two of a preliminary hearing designed to establish whether enough probable cause exists to force Burke to trial. Prosecutors allege he stabbed Rivas Hernandez to death at his Los Angeles home, then dismembered her body and dumped it in a car registered in his name. The teenager's remains were discovered last year in severe decomposition.
On Tuesday, the first day of hearings, prosecutors displayed photos of Rivas Hernandez's mutilated and decomposed remains as part of their case. They also presented evidence that Burke used his credit cards to buy chainsaws, a body bag, and a shovel, painting a picture of calculated preparation and execution.
Burke, now 21, faces charges of first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. His defense team contends their client was not responsible for her death.
Burke has been held without bail since his April arrest. If convicted of murder, he faces either the death penalty or life in prison without parole. The preliminary hearing is expected to run between three and five days total.
The family of Rivas Hernandez attended the opening day of proceedings. In a statement issued after Burke's arrest, they described her as someone who loved to sing and dance, and said Friday movie nights were a cherished tradition. "We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste," the family said.
Author James Rodriguez: "The financial motive angle is prosecutors playing hardball, putting numbers behind a narrative about a young life sacrificed to protect a record deal."
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