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D4vd's legal team has withdrawn from his case before his murder trial begins.
According to a report TMZ published on Monday, August 31, the singer's former attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, told the judge overseeing the case that they can no longer represent him. They didn't provide a reason why the firm is dropping D4vd as a client. However, it appears that the artist, born David Burke, is having money issues. A public defender from the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office was appointed to the case and indicated that Burke is "indigent."
"This morning the court granted our request to withdraw as counsel and appointed the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, after it was determined David qualified for appointed counsel," Berk, Bednarski and Peter said in a statement. "We continue to support David and his defense against these serious charges. We are grateful that the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office has taken over the representation and that David has a highly capable and committed team of attorneys and investigators behind him."
Burke was arrested and charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, mutilating a body, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. The first-degree murder charge with special circumstances makes him eligible for the death penalty. D4vd is being held without bond at the L.A. Men's Central Jail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Berk, Bednarski, and Peter represented Burke before his arrest and during his preliminary hearing. Following the explosive proceedings last month, a Los Angeles judge ruled that there is enough evidence for Burke to stand trial. He's set to be arraigned today.