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Footage has surfaced showing D4vd at his arraignment as he reportedly pleads not guilty to the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
According to TMZ, D4vd appeared in court on Monday, April 20, hours after he was charged with lewd and lascivious sexual acts with a person under 14 years old, mutilation of a human body, and first-degree murder for the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. To note, he was also charged with “special circumstances,” which included “lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation.”
Per the outlet, in addition to pleading not guilty, D4vd’s legal team also made a request of the court. Specifically, the team asked for his preliminary hearing to be held within 10 days. Per TMZ, a defendant is “entitled” to that timeline. But also, his team could be “banking on the case still being a work in progress.”
Per the outlet, if the preliminary hearing arrives and prosecutors don’t have witnesses and evidence ready, “the judge could dismiss the case outright.”
TMZ adds that the family of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez attended D4vd’s arraignment. Additionally, the outlet published footage of D4vd inside the courtroom.
Social media users entered the comment section of the footage, which was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, with their reactions amid D4vd’s appearance at his arraignment and his not guilty plea.
As The Shade Room previously reported, last week, D4vd was taken into custody in connection with the alleged 2025 murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. At the time, he was held without bail. And footage surfaced of his arrest. Then, on Monday, his mugshot surfaced.
Hours after prosecutors announced their plans to charge him with first-degree murder and the other offenses, their charging documents went public. As The Shade Room previously reported, the documents showed the “disturbing timeline of the relationship between Celeste Rivas and D4vd.” Prosecutors allege D4vd engaged in sexual abuse of Hernandez between September 2023 and September 2024. During this time, she reportedly could’ve been as young as 12.
On or around April 23, 2025, prosecutors believe D4vd killed her. Then, on or around May 5, 2025, he allegedly mutilated her body. All of this, reportedly, because he believed she would expose their sexual relationship.
We believe the actual evidence will show David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez. We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day,” D4vd’s lead defense attorney, Blair Berk, reportedly told the court on Monday.
