D4VD Grand Jury Refused to Indict — Prosecution's Problem
True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews
Tony Brueski
4.2 • 612 Ratings
🗓️ 20 April 2026
⏱️ 20 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4VD, is being held without bail at a Los Angeles County detention facility following his arrest on suspicion of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Major Crimes Division, led by prosecutor Beth Silverman, is reviewing the case for filing consideration. No grand jury indictment was returned despite months of testimony. No criminal complaint was filed prior to the arrest.
The defense issued a statement following the arrest asserting that Burke "did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," while emphasizing the absence of a formal indictment or complaint. Legal analysts note the statement's specific denial of causation — rather than a blanket denial of involvement — signals a defense posture that may concede proximity to the decedent while contesting the manner and cause of death.
Grand jury proceedings included testimony from multiple witnesses. Burke's manager reportedly testified over three days. A female witness was allegedly compelled to appear under threat of arrest after going into hiding. Another associate, Neo Langston, was reportedly located in Montana and required to return. The behavioral pattern among witnesses — including flight, concealment, and reluctance to cooperate — is a significant factor in how prosecutors assess the reliability and completeness of the evidentiary record.
The procedural question facing the DA is whether the evidence supports formal charges in the absence of a grand jury indictment. California law permits the filing of a criminal complaint based on probable cause independent of grand jury action. Retired FBI Special Agent Jennifer Coffindaffer provides analysis on the prosecution's options, the defense strategy, and the procedural implications of the case's current posture.
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Transcript
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| 0:24.2 | CrimeCon London, partnered by True Crime Channel 3rd and 4th of October, 2026. |
| 0:30.3 | If you're fascinated by True Crime, then join us in October 26 for CrimeCon London. |
| 0:36.5 | Meet the biggest names in True Crime TV, experience live |
| 0:39.8 | forensic demonstrations and dive deep into the criminal mind with your favourite authors, experts, |
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| 0:51.0 | now and be part of the UK's biggest true crime community. CrimeCon London, |
| 0:56.0 | partnered by True Crime Channel, 3rd and 4th of October, 2026. |
| 1:02.4 | This is Hidden Killers Live with Tony Bruske and Robin Drey. |
| 1:09.0 | David Anthony Burke, known as David, is in a Los Angeles jail. |
| 1:13.7 | As of right now, as of this recording, being held without bail, and the clock is running. |
| 1:18.5 | The DA's major crimes division has a narrow window to either file formal charges or let him walk. |
| 1:26.6 | A grand jury heard months of testimony, did not indict. |
| 1:30.6 | The defense is already telegraphing its strategy. |
| 1:33.3 | What comes next? |
| 1:34.1 | Could define this case or could completely blow all of it apart. |
| 1:38.6 | David's defense says he was, and this is interesting, the terminology I think is key. |
| 1:44.1 | He was not the cause of Celeste |
| 1:46.4 | death, not that he wasn't involved, not that he didn't know her, they denied causing her death |
| 1:53.9 | specifically. I want to start there. What is that statement designed to do? Not necessarily recognizing anything about what happened after, |
| 2:04.1 | but just so much so that not the cause of the death. |
| 2:07.6 | Is that strategic in the way that they're putting that out there? |
... |
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