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LOS ANGELES () — Singer D4vd was back in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday for his preliminary hearing in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with testimony focusing on forensic evidence and the performer’s finances.
On the second day of a preliminary hearing for D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, Los Angeles police criminalists described collecting samples of possible blood and DNA from his garage, where prosecutors allege Burke dismembered her body, and from his Tesla, where the body was found months later.
Burke, 21, is charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor and mutilation of a body. Prosecutors allege he killed Rivas Hernandez because she was going to reveal their sexual relationship and potentially damage his music career. Burke has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys maintain he did not cause Rivas Hernandez’s death.
WATCH: More details on day 2 of singer D4vd’s preliminary hearing
Singer D4vd was back in a Los Angeles courtroom for his preliminary hearing in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
LAPD criminalist testifies on forensic evidence
Lauren Wallace, a criminalist with the Los Angeles Police Department, testified that she found apparent blood stains on rubber mats on the floor of the garage in Burke’s Hollywood home, as well as slits – most likely from a sharp object – on the mats. Prosecutors said in a filing before the hearing that blood found in the garage matched Rivas Hernandez’s DNA.
Wallace testified that she did not find blood evidence on two chain saws in the garage that purchase records showed Burke had ordered soon after the girl’s death.
But she said she sprayed the floor mats with a chemical that shows possible blood stains otherwise not visible by the naked eye by making it glow blue. A photo showed the whole area cloaked in bright blue, bringing soft gasps from people in the courtroom.
And she said possible blood evidence was found on garbage bags and cleaning wipes, and a rowing machine in the garage.
WATCH: News’ Alex Stone reports on day 1 of singer D4vd’s preliminary hearing
A preliminary hearing is underway for singer D4vd as a judge considers whether there is enough evidence to put him on trial in the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Another LAPD criminalist, Chelsea Murillo, found fewer and smaller but similar stains in the Tesla.
The defense pressed the witnesses over every step of the evidence collection process, attempting to show lapses in preserving potential crime scenes. Burke’s attorney, Blair Berk, asked who had been wearing gloves – or not – with access to the car, and why Murillo didn’t swab for DNA on the outside of the Tesla.
“It didn’t seem necessary,” Murillo said.
Defense attorneys often use preliminary hearings to explore potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that can be exploited at trial.
Photos of Tesla, air fresheners shown in court
Another LAPD criminalist, Chelsea Murillo, testified that at least 11 air fresheners were found inside Burke’s Tesla one day after the dismembered remains of Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the vehicle’s front trunk.
On Wednesday, photographs were shown from inside a Tesla trunk that contained maggots, flies and blood that tested positive for Rivas Hernandez’s DNA. Additional images showed air fresheners in the vehicle’s doors, around the center console, in the rear seats and in the front trunk.
Prosecutors focus on finances
The court also heard testimony about Burke’s earnings, which prosecutors have argued are relevant to their argument that money was a motive in the killing.
Benjamin Gregor, Burke’s money manager, was one of two witnesses who testified about Burke’s finances. According to testimony, Burke earned at least $10 million between 2023 and 2025.
Patrick Steinfeld, the attorney representing Rivas Hernandez’s family, said outside court that testimony about Burke’s income surprised family members.
“He had guarantees of a minimum of $3 million and a maximum guarantee of $6 million with bonuses that increase… That was a bit of a jaw drop for the family. They told me outside the courtroom that they were shocked how much money that that young man was earning and his potential to earn,” Steinfeld said.
The preliminary hearing for D4vd is underway, months after authorities found the dismembered body of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez in a Tesla registered to the singer.
Passport evidence discussed
Prosecutors also presented evidence related to Rivas Hernandez’s passport. According to the prosecution, the passport was found on Highway 152 in Santa Barbara County by a Caltrans worker. Prosecutors argue Burke traveled there to discard the document and dispose of evidence.
The purpose of the preliminary hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence to put Burke on trial.
The hearing is scheduled to continue Thursday, when the medical examiner is expected to testify.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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