D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day One

Summary

Fame Under Fire: "D4vd Preliminary Hearing: Day One"

Host: Anoushka Mutanda Doughty
Date: July 22, 2026
Episode Focus: The opening day of the preliminary hearing for singer D4vd (David Burke), accused of multiple serious crimes regarding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on the start of one of the most high-profile legal proceedings of the year: the preliminary hearing of David Burke, known as the singer D4vd, accused of the murder, unlawful dismemberment, and continuous sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The host, Anoushka Mutanda Doughty, is joined by BBC reporter Sam Mulick, who provides detailed, on-the-ground insights from inside the Los Angeles courtroom. The episode is a frank, harrowing account that explores the legal, emotional, and social stakes of the case.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene (from 01:04)

• The case involves disturbing allegations: murder, unlawful dismemberment, and the continuous sexual abuse of a minor.
• David Burke (D4vd) has pleaded not guilty to all charges, with his attorneys claiming evidence will show he did not murder Celeste.

2. Courtroom Dynamics and Attendance (01:52–02:47)

• David Burke was present for the entire hearing, shackled to his chair but with hands unshackled.
• Celeste’s parents sat in the front row, amid attorneys, witnesses, press, and members of the public.

3. The Purpose of a Preliminary Hearing (02:47–03:37)

• Sam Mulick explains:

  "This preliminary hearing is just for the prosecution to prove that there is probable cause that the defendant committed the crime in order for it to go to trial. So they do not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt..." (02:57)

4. Day One: Witness Testimonies

First Witness: Deputy Juan Gonzalez (03:37–06:27)

• Bodycam footage was shown of a wellness check at David's residence on February 17, 2024.
• A key moment in footage:

  "He says about Celeste, she said she was 18. Everybody's saying she's 13, but she said to me she was 18." — Sam Mulick, summarizing the footage (04:30)

• During cross-examination, defense underscored the defendant’s cooperation with law enforcement.

Second Witness: Detective Joshua Byers (06:31–11:44)

• Byers responded to the tow yard where Celeste's body was discovered in David's Tesla.
• Graphic images were shown: the dismembered and decomposed body, detached limbs, and hand.
• Sam Mulick describes the impact:

  "Celeste’s mother became very visibly emotional. She started sobbing into her hands... This was probably the most emotionally charged moment of the day." (07:45)

• Evidence included blue plastic fragments matching an inflatable pool reportedly ordered by David, which prosecution alleges was used in the dismemberment.

David's Demeanor (10:14–11:44)

• David remained focused, still, and emotionless, taking notes and conferring quietly with his attorney.

  "He watched the entire proceeding very attentively. There was no visible emotion." — Sam Mulick (10:14)

• No visible response to graphic imagery.

Defense Cross-examination

• Focused on the investigation procedures: the significance of a burn box found at David’s residence and the lack of blood on a chainsaw found there.
• Judge limited discovery-type questioning, reminding all parties the hearing was to establish probable cause.

5. Financial Motive and Testimony (13:36–16:38)

• The prosecution asserts murder was for financial gain: Celeste allegedly threatened to expose an inappropriate relationship, which could destroy David’s career.
• Benjamin Gregor, ex-financial director for David’s management, testified David earned $10–11.5 million from 2023–25.
• Discussion of transferring property titles to avoid civil liability.
• After court, Celeste's family attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, told press:

  "I'm absolutely disgusted that David's family is still engaged in his music career and what they can gain from his music career despite him being in custody, despite Celeste's death." (16:29)

• Celeste’s family avoided looking at David.

6. Prosecution and Sentencing Outlook (17:11–18:20)

• LA County District Attorney Nathan Hockman emphasized determination to prosecute:

  "When we try David and when we convict David ... not if, but when." (17:17)

• Possibility of the death penalty is under consideration, contingent on conviction and special circumstances (lying in wait, murder of a witness, and for financial gain).

7. Looking Forward (18:37–19:20)

• Ten witnesses expected over three to six days.
• More gruesome and detailed evidence forthcoming; the nature of Celeste and David’s relationship will be further explored.
• Celeste’s family plans to attend despite anticipated distress.

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• David's bodycam encounter with police:

  "She said she was 18. Everybody's saying she's 13, but she said to me she was 18." (04:30, via Sam Mulick)

• The gravity of evidence:

  "These images were so hard to decipher what they were... but yes, ultimately the plastic fragments were present." — Sam Mulick (09:06)

• On David’s reaction:

  "He watched it in stillness." — Sam Mulick on David’s lack of visible emotion (11:17)

• Legal strategy and criticism:

  “I’m absolutely disgusted that David’s family is still engaged in his music career and what they can gain from his music career despite him being in custody, despite Celeste’s death.” — Patrick Steinfeld (16:29)

• District Attorney on prosecution:

  "When we try David and when we convict David, ... not if, but when." — Nathan Hockman (17:17)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:04 – Case introduction and allegations
• 02:57 – Explanation of preliminary hearings
• 03:37–06:27 – Deputy Gonzalez's testimony and bodycam footage
• 06:31–11:44 – Detective Byers' testimony and courtroom reaction
• 13:36–16:38 – David Burke’s finances and testimony from his former management’s director
• 17:11–18:20 – Prosecution outlook and penalty discussion
• 18:37–19:20 – Upcoming witness schedule and case progression

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Tone and Style

Direct, factual, and empathetic—balancing clear legal explainers with sensitivity toward the emotional weight of the evidence and the family’s ordeal. The episode avoids sensationalism, focusing on sober reportage and expert analysis.

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In Summary

Day one of the D4vd (David Burke) preliminary hearing set out the prosecution’s dramatic evidence, the emotional toll on the victim’s family, and the framework for the legal arguments to come. With graphic testimony, determined legal teams, and a closely watched public process, the case promises to push hard against the boundaries between public interest, celebrity, and the law. Expect continued in-depth coverage from Fame Under Fire as the hearing develops.

Transcript

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[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

Hello and welcome back to Fame Under Fire from BBC Sounds with me, Anushka Mutanda Doughty. Now inside the Clara Shortridge False justice center in Los Angeles, the preliminary hearing for singer David has begun warning. The details of this case are graphic and some listeners may find them upsetting. But a reminder, the 21 year old singer has been accused of the murder of unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse of 14 year old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found decomposing in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him. Now, David has entered a not guilty plea on all charges and his attorneys have previously told us that the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke, that's his real name, did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death. They say they will vigorously defend David's innocence. Joining me now is our reporter Sam Mulick, who's been inside that courtroom all day. Hi, Sam.

[Sam Mulick]

Hi, Nyushka.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

So the big question was, was David going to be there today? And I believe you said that he was.

[Sam Mulick]

Yeah, David came out at the beginning of today's hearing and he stayed throughout the entirety of it. And we saw how he reacted throughout the day's hearings. We saw him conferring with his defense attorneys. The first thing that happened was the judge denied the defense's unshackling motions. So he was allowed to have his hands free throughout the day, but he was shackled to his chair throughout the day of the court's proceedings.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

And who else was in court?

[Sam Mulick]

Well, we saw Celeste's family members and we saw Celeste's mother and Celeste's father. They were sat in the front row of the courtroom. And other than that, it was the attorneys, witnesses, and members of the press and public.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

So we've been building up to this for a while, and it kept getting pushed back. This preliminary hearing. Can you just explain to us or remind our listeners what a preliminary hearing is for?

[Sam Mulick]

Yeah. So this preliminary hearing is just for the prosecution to prove that there is probable cause that the defendant committed the crime in order for it to go to trial. So they do not have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. It's a lower evidentiary standard. It is just to see if there's enough evidence for this to go to trial.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

Yeah. And what we are hearing is that there's going to be quite a lot of evidence put on there saying three to six days worth of a preliminary hearing. It's almost like a mini trial in and of itself. But the burden of proof is on the prosecution. So they're the people calling witnesses to the stand. Who did they call up first?

[Sam Mulick]

The first person who was called up was Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputy Juan Gonzalez, who stationed at the West Hollywood station. He was the person who responded to a wellness check at David's residence on February 17, 2024, after Celeste had gone missing. And so we were sitting in the courtroom and we watched this 10 and a half minute video of Deputy Gonzalez conducting this wellness check with another sheriff's deputy. And we saw them interact with David for about 10 minutes and body cam footage of him directly going into David's residence and questioning him if he knows Celeste's whereabouts, if he had a relationship with Celeste, if he, you know, anything he might know about her. We have David in the front of the courtroom and Celeste's family right behind as we're watching this wellness check. And so initially, David said in the body cam footage that. That he had only met Celeste once in person previously. They initially met through the online server Discord. And they're questioning David as to if he knows what she looks like. And he presents a yearbook photo of Celeste wearing a Batman zip up sweatshirt. He also presents to the sheriff's deputy the missing person flyer of Celeste. And as they're questioning and during this interaction, David is eating food. He's very casual. He's very kind of cavalier with how he's speaking with the deputies. And at one point, Deputy Gonzalez says to David, we're not investigating you. And David immediately responded Got you like this kind of long. Got you in response. And then, without being prompted, David says to the deputy, and again, this is in 2024. He says about Celeste, she said she was 18. Everybody's saying she's 13, but she said to me she was 18. And then the deputy said to David, does she look 13? And David said, no.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

This is important because one of the things that he's charged with is the continuous sexual abuse of a minor under 14 years old. Although sexually abusive child is abhorrent at any age, it is treated more harshly when the child in Los angeles is under 14 because it is seen as more vulnerable. The defense don't have to say anything in a preliminary hearing, but I believe they did do a cross examination here.

[Sam Mulick]

Yes, they cross examined Deputy Gonzalez right after his testimony. And most of just their cross examination was highlighting that David did indeed cooperate with the detectives. And we watched the videos, a very cordial interaction.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

So talk to me about the next witness that was put on by the prosecution.

[Sam Mulick]

Yes. So the next witness was the main person who has been investigating the case, Detective Joshua Byers of the Los Angeles Police Department, who responded to the tow yard that allegedly David's Tesla was brought to in Hollywood. And when the manager of the tow yard smelled a particularly strong stench coming from the Tesla, he contacted the police department. And Detective Byers is the one who responded to the scene. So then followed Byers testimony where we saw what he saw on that day. And the prosecution displayed images of the corpse that was in the front trunk of the Tesla on that day, which were incredibly graphic. So we're seeing photos of this dismembered body. So much to the extent that the body's unrecognizable, It's. It's kind of like this white matter with liquid all around it. And buyers testified that there were maggots and insects surrounding this body. And so at this moment, when we're going through these different images, one is of this corpse. Another is of this bag containing Celeste's legs, you know, cut down from her kneecap. Another one is her amputated left hand with her pinky finger and ring finger cut off. As we're seeing these images in court, Celeste's mother became very visibly emotional. She started sobbing into her hands. She was comforted by Celeste's father sitting next to her. And as we're seeing the prosecution go through these photos at different points, Silverman, the prosecutor, she checks with Celeste's mother, and she says, are you okay? She also makes a effort to notify the Family when she's removing the photos from the stand so that they're no longer visible. This was probably the most emotionally charged moment of the day.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

Yeah, I imagine so. I mean, that's an extremely difficult thing for anybody to have to go through. But why we're looking at these pictures is particularly relevant to one of the charges. Yes, the murder, but the unlawful dismemberment of human remains, the allegation is that David dismembered Celeste after murdering her. Now, one of the things that we heard about in the briefing documents that the prosecution released before the preliminary hearing is that there was plastic fragments found on her body. Did they go into that at all?

[Sam Mulick]

Yes, as the criminalist from the medical examiner's office arrived and started investigating the body. There were blue plastic fragments in the corpse or on or adjacent to the corpse along with, you know, this decaying corpse, the liquid, decaying, you know, bodily liquid around the corpse. So, yes, there. There was plastic fragments present. And again, you know, I have to emphasize that these images were harrowing. And these images were so hard to decipher what they were, which is why the prosecution and the detective made an effort to describe what was happening in these images. But, yes, you know, ultimately the plastic fragments were present and we know what

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

the prosecution are alleging with that they've released it once again in their pre court documents. They said that that plastic blue fragments matches the blue plastic of an inflatable pool that they claim that David ordered to his house in order to dismember the body. And these are all allegations that he denies. But you mentioned there how harrowing the imagery was and the emotional reaction from the family as to be expected. What was David's reaction?

[Sam Mulick]

David watched the entire proceeding very attentively. There was no visible emotion. He was very focused. He watched all of the evidence presented, all of the photos, all of the testimony, all of the cross examinations. Periodically, he would write a note or two on his legal pad with a pencil and show his attorneys. And also periodically, at a couple different moments, his attorney, Blair Burke, she would lean over and they would have a very brief word with each other conversation, and she could be seen patting David on the back.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

During this time, no specific reaction to those images being put up in court. Did he look at them the entire time? Did he look down?

[Sam Mulick]

No, he looked at them. He looked at everything. Whenever he was identified by a witness, he looked at them identifying him. You know, he faced what was happening

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

and any emotional reaction to those images of her body, Decayed body, not that I could see.

[Sam Mulick]

I was behind David. I had a kind of a diagonal view of him. But, yeah, he remained pretty emotionless in his facial expression throughout the day. There was really no visible reaction. I'd say at the beginning of the day, he was a bit fidgety, settling into that chair that he was shackled to. He was moving around a lot. But as the evidence became more and more serious and more and more graphic, more and more gruesome, he watched it in stillness.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

And did they cross examine Detective Byers?

[Sam Mulick]

Yes. So when the defense was cross examining him, they centered in on his investigation of David's home in the Hollywood Hills, where buyers executed a search warrant to go through the home, to look through different. Different parts of the home. And when he was in that home, he found evidence of an unopened burn box.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

An incineration box?

[Sam Mulick]

Yeah.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

So is that what that is?

[Sam Mulick]

Yes. So this was something that at first the prosecution brought up, that a burn box is used to burn something in a contained container, essentially. And the defense kind of zeroed in on how buyers went around about the investigation, saying, you know, asking him, how did you determine that this was a burn box? All you reported was that you saw an unopened box next to David's piano. How did you determine that this is a burn box? Did you test it? Buyers also mentioned that there were multiple chainsaws in, I believe, the garage of David's residence. And one of the chainsaws, they tested it for blood, and they did not find any blood on that chainsaw. And so that was another thing that the defense was zeroing in on the prosecution. But also all of this to be said is that there were various points where the prosecution objected to the defense's questioning, saying the purpose of a preliminary hearing is not for discovery. And there were various times where the judge sustained the objection, saying that we're not here to go through all of the discovery that they are here today to establish probable cause.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

And so in the first half of the day, we've had a focus on some of that really harrowing what the prosecutions say is evidence of this crime that David denies. He denies all the allegations. But in the second half of the day, we have a focus on economics and his financial situation. And for people who aren't aware, this is because one of the special circumstances of the murder is murder for financial gain. And what the prosecution are alleging is that David murdered Celeste because she was about to out him for having an inappropriate relationship with her while she was underage. And that would have led to him losing Money. So by murdering her, a witness to a crime, which is another one of the special circumstances he mitigated against that financial loss. Now, talk to me about what we were told about his financial situation.

[Sam Mulick]

This was a really interesting part of the day when Benjamin Greger took the stand. And Gregor was the previous director of finances for Mogul Visions, which was David's talent management firm for his career. And Gregor really went into detail about David's finances and how much money he had already made up until Celeste's body was found in the trunk of this Tesla. He said that from 2023 to 2025, Gregor estimated that David made cumulatively ten to eleven and a half million dollars in total. And so another. Another thing that came up later on in Gregor's testimony is that Gregor has been conferring with Colleen Burke, David's mom, up until last week. He testified over an encrypted messaging system signal, or WhatsApp, which the prosecution made sure to emphasize in his testimony. Greger said that him and Colleen Burke have had conversations about transferring the title of one of David's homes from David's name to Colleen's name. And the prosecution made sure to ask, why are you talking about that? And Gregor explicitly said, to avoid a civil lawsuit, you know, to avoid the house being seized in a civil lawsuit, conferring with Colleen about the family's finances. And specifically, Gregor said that he conferred with Colleen about finding an entertainment lawyer. So later on in the day, outside the courtroom with Celeste's family's attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, the first thing he said to the press was how disgusted he was. And he used that exact word. I'm absolutely disgusted that David's family is still engaged in his music career and what they can gain from his music career despite him being in custody, despite Celeste's death.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

Yeah, we haven't heard from the family really much at all. Their attorney. I mean, their attorney made very clear before, you know, these are real people. They've got real jobs in real life that they need to live. And this has been extremely harrowing. That's the first time we've heard a comment on David and David's family from Celeste Rivers, Hernandez's family's attorney. Was that all he said? Did he add anything else?

[Sam Mulick]

I had the chance to ask Steinfeld what the family's experience was of seeing David there in the courtroom in the flesh. And all he said to me was that they did not look at him. They could not even look at David.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

So you heard from the attorney for Celeste's family You also heard from the District Attorney, Nathan Hockman. What did he have to say?

[Sam Mulick]

Yeah, the LA County District Attorney, Nathan Hockman gave a statement during the middle of the day where he explains what the preliminary hearing was, what the purpose of the preliminary hearing was to prove the probable cause that David committed the murder. And Hockman very pointedly said that when we try David and when we convict David, he made a point to say not if, but when. His office will then determine whether or not they will pursue the death penalty in David's sentencing if he is convicted and then sentenced. So he made a point to talk about that. His office is still. That's still under determination. Interestingly, Steinfeld, again, who's representing Celeste's family in these proceedings, he did not mention the death penalty during his press conference. He more focused on life in prison without the possibility of parole. Is what he would like to see happen with David.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

Yeah. And with those special circumstances attached to the murder allegation lying in wait, murdering a witness and murder for financial gain, the crime is elevated in the eyes of the law, which could make it a death penalty case. It's interesting to hear that they're not rolling that out at this stage. And, Sam, have we heard anything about what tomorrow is going to bring?

[Sam Mulick]

So Hockman said that throughout the duration of the preliminary hearings that they're going to bring more than 10 witnesses. So right now we're on the third, and we haven't finished with the third witness. But Steinfeld did make a point to say that more gruesome details are going to emerge in the coming days, even more gruesome than what we saw today. He also made a point that the nature of Celeste and David's relationship is also going to be discussed in the courtroom in the coming days. So Steinfeld made a point to say that the family will continue to be there, though what is to follow continues to be gruesome and harrowing for them to witness.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

This isn't going to be a short preliminary hearing, I don't think they're saying three to six days now. Ten witnesses, you say, as well as cross examination. So we'll see where we go from here, but we'll have the updates for you guys as soon as they happen. Sam, thank you so much for joining me today.

[Sam Mulick]

Yeah, thank you so much.

[Anoushka Mutanda Doughty]

That was our reporter Sam Mulick joining me from Los Angeles. And that's it for the show, this episode of Fame Under Fire from BBC Sounds with me, Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty. As always, if you've got any questions, send them to me. On social media, it's Anoushkamd on Instagram and TikTok. Make sure you subscribe and turn on your push notifications so you never miss a thing. If you've got a scrolling problem, then this is the podcast for you.

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