D4vd Murder Trial Delayed to June 29 Amid Review of Extensive Evidence in Celeste Rivas Case
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court on May 12, 2026, as his preliminary hearing was postponed to June 29 due to the ongoing review of a large volume of evidence. Prosecutors have disclosed extensive digital and forensic materials, with Daily Mail reporting over 40 terabytes of data being processed. The case involves the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas (or Rivas Hernandez), whose body was found in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla. While both sources agree on the delay and the complexity of evidence, New York Post includes detailed and graphic allegations about the dismemberment and disposal of the body, including claims about online orders and the removal of fingers. Daily Mail emphasizes procedural aspects and the logistical challenges of evidence review. The defendant, appearing in court in an orange jumpsuit, agreed to the new hearing date.
New York Post provides a more complete but more sensationalized account, while Daily Mail offers a more measured, legally focused report with less graphic content but strong institutional sourcing.
- ✓ D4vd (real name David Burke) is on trial for the first-degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas (last name Rivas or Rivas Hernandez).
- ✓ The preliminary hearing was delayed and rescheduled to June 29, 2026.
- ✓ The delay is due to a large volume of new evidence being processed by both prosecution and defense.
- ✓ The hearing took place in Los Angeles County Superior Court before Judge Charlaine Olmedo (or Olmedo).
- ✓ D4vd appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and confirmed agreement to the new date with 'Yes, Your Honor.'
- ✓ Prosecutors have provided extensive evidence, including lab reports, photos, videos, and forensic data.
Level of graphic detail
Mentions dismemberment but avoids graphic specifics; focuses on the discovery of the body in the Tesla trunk without detailing the method of dismemberment.
Provides explicit and disturbing details about the alleged dismemberment, use of a chainsaw, removal of fingers with tattoos, and use of a blue inflatable pool to contain blood.
Origin and nature of evidence details
Relies on prosecutor statements and emphasizes the digital scale (40+ terabytes) without referencing specific purchases or delivery services.
Cites documents obtained by 'The California Post' and includes narrative details like Home Depot, Postmates, and Amazon orders.
Focus of reporting
Focuses on legal procedure, data logistics, and the defense’s shifting strategy.
Emphasizes the horror of the crime, victim impact, and defendant's emotional state.
Defendant's demeanor
Describes him as 'stone-faced,' implying emotional detachment or stoicism.
Describes D4vd as 'weary' and 'disappointed,' suggesting emotional vulnerability.
Victim's full name
Uses 'Celeste Rivas Hernandez', including a second surname.
Refers to the victim as 'Celeste Rivas'.
New York Post
Framing: New York Post frames the event as a developing legal case centered on the disturbing and graphic details of the alleged crime, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll on the defendant and the procedural delays caused by a 'mountain of evidence.' The focus is on the brutality of the alleged acts and the impact on the victim's family, particularly through the inclusion of the family attorney’s statement.
Tone: Sensational and emotionally charged, with a narrative style that emphasizes horror and tragedy. The use of phrases like 'horrifying new details,' 'mutilation,' and 'most difficult thing' amplifies the emotional weight of the story.
Sensationalism: Use of terms like 'horrifying,' 'mutilation,' and 'chainsaw' to intensify the emotional impact of the crime description.
"horrifying new details emerged last month in the case of his alleged mutilation of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas"
Appeal To Emotion: Inclusion of the family attorney’s quote about delivering the news to Rivas’ family is used to evoke sympathy and moral outrage.
"Rivas’ family attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, described informing her family of the news the 'most difficult thing' he’s ever had to do"
Narrative Framing: Presents a chronological and detailed account of Burke’s alleged actions (ordering Uber, tools, body bag, etc.) to construct a narrative of premeditation and horror.
"ordered an Uber to deliver Rivas from her family home... ordered a shovel... ordered two chainsaws... ordered a body bag"
Loaded Language: Use of 'mutilated,' 'stood by while she bled to death,' and 'took horrifying measures' frames Burke as a monstrous figure.
"mutilated Rivas with a chainsaw... stood by while she bled to death"
Vague Attribution: References 'documents obtained by The California Post' without specifying which documents or how they were obtained.
"according to the documents obtained by The California Post"
Daily Mail
Framing: Daily Mail frames the event as a procedural delay in a high-profile criminal case, focusing on the scale and complexity of the digital evidence and the legal process. The emphasis is on the volume of data (40+ terabytes) and the logistical challenges it presents, rather than the graphic details of the crime.
Tone: More restrained and procedural, with a focus on legal logistics and official statements. The tone is journalistic but still conveys gravity through factual reporting rather than emotional language.
Framing By Emphasis: Highlights the size of the evidence (40+ terabytes) and technical challenges of data transfer, shifting focus from the crime's brutality to the case's complexity.
"there is more than 40 terabytes of evidence against the singer that they are in the process of sending to the defense"
Proper Attribution: Quotes prosecutor Beth Silverman directly, lending credibility and grounding the information in official sources.
"'We provided lab reports, all photos, numerous video recordings, a lot of forensic evidence,' Beth Silverman said"
Balanced Reporting: Notes that the defense initially sought a preliminary hearing but backed off, suggesting both sides are engaged in due process.
"His defense team had originally pushed for an immediate preliminary hearing - in which a judge determines whether prosecutors have enough evidence to bring a case to trial. But they backed off..."
Editorializing: Use of 'stone-faced' twice to describe D4vd may subtly suggest emotional detachment or guilt, though less overtly than New York Post's language.
"D4vd sat stone-faced... D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, sat stone-faced during a hearing"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Includes names of reporters and editors, suggesting editorial oversight and institutional credibility.
"By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER and MARJORIE HERNANDEZ, US WEST COAST NEWS EDITOR"
New York Post
Provides the most detailed narrative of the alleged crime, including timeline, digital footprint (Uber, Amazon), forensic actions, and emotional context. Includes unique information such as the removal of fingers with tattoos and use of a pool.
Daily Mail
Offers strong procedural detail and official sourcing, particularly regarding the volume of digital evidence and defense strategy, but omits specific crime scene details and online purchase timeline.
D4vd stone-faced as murder trial is delayed AGAIN so prosecutors can sift through mounds of new evidence
D4vd murder trial delayed over mountain of evidence in Celeste Rivas case