Parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez Seek Death Penalty for D4vd
The parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez have formally lobbied for the death penalty should D4vd be found guilty of the murder of their daughter, who would have celebrated her 16th birthday this past Monday. In a rare public statement issued during the ongoing criminal proceedings, the family urged Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to seek capital punishment rather than a life sentence in the event of a conviction.
“If the death penalty were activated, it would be perfect for this kind of human being, devoid of feelings and emptiness inside, and without conscience, who only caused pain to our daughter, our family, and the world that supports our precious daughter,” the family stated in a message to the California Post. “But that’s not in our hands, but rather in God’s, and the California justice system.”
The legal path toward a potential death penalty sentence remains complex. The proceedings have faced delays, notably after the singer—born David Burke—opted to dismiss his legal team last week in favor of a public defender. District Attorney Hochman has indicated that his office is currently reviewing a mitigation packet submitted by the defense, which argues against the pursuit of capital punishment.
While California has not carried out an execution since 2006 and remains under a reprieve on executions established by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, Hochman has signaled a shift in policy. “Effective immediately, the prior administration’s extreme and categorical policy forbidding prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in any case is rescinded,” Hochman stated. “In its place, the new murder with special circumstances policy will consider pursuing the death penalty only after an extensive and comprehensive review and only in exceedingly rare cases.”
At his recent rearraignment, Burke entered a plea of not guilty regarding charges that he sexually abused 14-year-old Rivas Hernandez before killing and dismembering her, subsequently concealing her remains in his vehicle.
