Accused child killer and singer David “D4vd” appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday for a status conference that unexpectedly set the stage for a preliminary hearing in the gruesome teen dismemberment case, with prosecutors and defense attorneys finally agreeing to move forward after months of delays.
The hearing, lasting just over 30 minutes, marked a dramatic shift in momentum. Judge Kerry White scheduled the preliminary hearing to begin July 21, with additional dates carved out through the end of July to accommodate what is expected to be a multi-day evidentiary showcase.
David, wearing an orange Los Angeles County jail jumpsuit with a white shirt underneath, looked disheveled and unshaven, but was alert and engaged. He exchanged pleasantries with the judge, smiling and saying good morning as he took his seat at the defense table.
The 20-year-old musician faces charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her dismembered body was found in September 2025 in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to David at a Los Angeles tow yard.
Prosecutors allege David lured Celeste to his rental home on April 23, 2025, stabbed her to death, watched her bleed out, then used chainsaws and other tools to dismember her body in an effort to conceal their alleged sexual relationship and protect his lucrative music career. Her remains were discovered the day after what would have been her 15th birthday.
The special circumstances allegations make David eligible for the death penalty, though California has a moratorium on executions. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek capital punishment.
Monday’s hearing was the third status conference in the case. The previous two in May and June resulted in continuances, with defense attorneys citing the massive volume of discovery evidence. But today, both sides told the judge they were ready to proceed.
Defense attorney Robert Schwab acknowledged that all evidence deemed relevant to the preliminary hearing had been shared by prosecutors. “We have what we need to move forward,” Schwab told the court. The defense also confirmed it has retained a investigator, whose seating arrangement at the counsel table was discussed during the hearing.
The preliminary hearing will serve as a critical preview of the prosecution’s case. Under California law, the state must present sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that David committed the alleged crimes. The standard is low, but the hearing allows the defense to challenge evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
Notably, the hearing will also feature evidentiary arguments over a massive trove of digital data. Sources close to the case say thousands of pages of text messages, financial records, and surveillance footage will be scrutinized.
No witness list has been publicly disclosed, but court chatter Monday centered on logistics: how many people can sit at the counsel table, where the defense investigator will be placed, and whether protective orders will cover certain witnesses. Judge White signed a protective order after a brief off-the-record discussion, though the specific parties covered were not announced.
Celeste’s family was not present in the courtroom Monday. No supporters for either side appeared, only a handful of media and a sketch artist. The victim’s mother has previously declined to comment, though family attorneys have said they are seeking justice.
In a separate but related development, NBC News reported Monday that more than a dozen employees of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office are under investigation for allegedly viewing law enforcement investigation files without proper authorization. The probe may have been triggered by the release of graphic details about Celeste’s death before the autopsy report was officially published.
The Medical Examiner’s Office and the LAPD have had a tense relationship during this case. In November 2025, LAPD obtained a court order to seal the autopsy records, but the ME’s office initially refused, citing a policy against “security holds.” The records were eventually released in April 2026, revealing that Celeste suffered at least two penetrating wounds to the torso and full-thickness dismemberment of all four limbs, with her left ring and pinky fingers amputated and never found.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ode Uko said at the time, “The department’s mission is to have full transparency with the community… It is unfathomable that this family has had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.”
The union representing ME’s office staff responded to the investigation Monday, saying, “We can say unequivocally that our union remains firmly committed to safeguarding the privacy of all victims.”
Legal experts say the investigation into potential leaks could become a factor in the murder case if defense attorneys argue that the integrity of the evidence was compromised. David’s team has not yet commented on the ME’s office probe.
The preliminary hearing is expected to last at least four days, with the judge setting aside July 21, 23, 24, and 25, with the possibility of spilling into the following week. If Judge White finds probable cause, the case will be bound over for trial, and a trial date could be set as early as August.
David remains held without bail at the Los Angeles County Jail. The case has drawn international attention, partly due to David’s status as a rising star in the alternative R&B scene with millions of streams. Fans have followed the case closely, with many expressing shock that the same artist whose lyrics often explore heartbreak and loss is now accused of such a brutal crime.
Outside the courthouse Monday, a small group of reporters and onlookers gathered, but no protests or demonstrations occurred. The atmosphere was subdued, a stark contrast to the horrific details that have emerged in court filings and media reports.
As the legal machinery grinds forward, the next two weeks will be pivotal. For the first time, the public will get a glimpse of the evidence prosecutors have assembled against David. For the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, it is a step toward accountability — but also a painful reliving of their loss.
The preliminary hearing is set to begin at 9 a.m. on July 21 in Department 108 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. No cameras will be permitted in the courtroom, but a sketch artist will document the proceedings. The case is expected to remain sealed from public broadcast until the trial, if it proceeds.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as the hearing unfolds. For ongoing coverage, follow Law&Crime on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, or watch Jesse Weber Live weeknights at 11 p.m. Eastern on NewsNation.
