Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, lawyers representing U.S. singer David Burke, popularly known as D4vd, withdrew from his case on Monday, with public defender Walid Kandeel taking over his defence ahead of his second arraignment on charges of murdering 14-year-old girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
The attorneys did not give any reason for withdrawing from the case.
Mr Kandeel assured the singer that he would provide him with a defence and also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.
He said, “We recognise the loss of life underlying the allegations and extend our sympathies to those who are grieving.
At the same time, David Burke is entitled to a defence that takes his circumstances seriously and carefully examines the evidence. We are committed to providing him with that defence.”
Mr Kandeel also requested that the singer’s arraignment be postponed, after he had not pleaded guilty to the charges, which include first-degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
However, the judge rejected the request and set the defendant’s next scheduled court date for October 19.
Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles District Attorney, said that the change in the 21-year-old’s legal representation would not affect the case, but that the death penalty was being considered because his former representatives did not submit their mitigation packet before withdrawing from the case.
Mr Hochman added that the new public defender could still submit one.
Prosecutors alleged that the singer killed the teenager because she allegedly threatened to expose their alleged sexual relationship, which could have damaged his music career.
During a preliminary hearing last month, evidence and testimony were presented before the court. A judge ordered him to stand trial.