U.S. singer D4vd’s lawyers withdraw from murder case

Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, lawyers representing U.S. singer David Burke, popularly known as D4vd, withdrew from his case on Monday, with public defender Walid Kandeel taking over his defence ahead of his second arraignment on charges of murdering 14-year-old girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The attorneys did not give any reason for withdrawing from the case.
Mr Kandeel assured the singer that he would provide him with a defence and also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.
He said, “We recognise the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving.
At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defence.”
Mr Kandeel also requested that the singer’s arraignment be postponed, after he had not pleaded guilty to the charges, which include first-degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
However, the judge rejected the request and set the defendant’s next scheduled court date for October 19.
Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles District Attorney, said that the change in the 21-year-old’s legal representation would not affect the case, but that the death penalty was being considered because his former representatives did not submit their mitigation packet before withdrawing from the case.
Mr Hochman added that the new public defender could still submit one.
Prosecutors alleged that the singer killed the teenager because she allegedly threatened to expose their alleged sexual relationship, which could have damaged his music career.
During a preliminary hearing last month, evidence and testimony were presented before the court. A judge ordered him to stand trial.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
Settlement disruptions trigger N587 billion in equities loss
The Nigerian equities market closed August on a bearish note, shedding N587 billion in market capitalisation.

Economy
$300 helicopter levy for air navigational services payable, TNC not applicable to offshore operations: NUPRC
Ms Eyesan said the TNC did not apply to helicopter landings at private offshore facilities and platforms when such operations support upstream petroleum activities.

Anti-Corruption
EFCC recovers ₦1.2 trillion in corruption proceeds in Nigeria
Its recovery in naira hit an all-time high of ₦1,233,612,040,411.11. In dollars, it hit $684,478,457,32. In pound sterling, it was £373,905.78, and in euros, €9,343,803.66.

Economy
Tinubu’s $1 billion anti-poverty programme not politically driven, says group
The Tinubu Media Support Group says President Bola Tinubu’s $1 billion social protection programme was carefully planned, not a hurried response to opposition rhetoric.

Heading 3
Tinubu says subsidy removal bringing prosperity to Nigeria, hails 4.43% GDP growth
“Under our watch, the economy is on the irreversible path to experience even more growth that all homes will feel at the dining table and in their pockets,” said Mr Tinubu.

States
Gov Oborevwori approves overhaul of public schools, other projects across Delta
The Delta government ordered the state ministries of primary and secondary education to promptly investigate and profile all schools that need rehabilitation or reconstruction.





