D4vd asks to lose restraints before murder case hearing
The singer’s lawyer says his prior court appearances have been uneventful as prosecutors prepare to present evidence in Celeste Rivas’ case.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
D4vd is asking a Los Angeles judge to let him appear without handcuffs and other restraints at a key hearing in the murder case tied to the death of Celeste Rivas, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles.
The singer filed a motion before his preliminary hearing, which NBC 4 reported was scheduled to begin Tuesday. At that hearing, prosecutors are expected to lay out evidence as they try to persuade a judge that the case should proceed to trial.
D4vd’s attorney, Blair Berk, argued in the motion that the restraints are not needed, according to NBC 4. Berk said the musician has not tried to flee and has not caused disruptions in court.
The motion also says D4vd has appeared in court five times without incident, NBC 4 reported.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo had not ruled on the request as of the latest report.
The charges
D4vd was arrested in April and charged with first-degree murder in Rivas’ death, according to earlier reporting by TMZ. He has also been charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and mutilating a body.
Rivas’ body was found dismembered in a Tesla registered to D4vd, according to TMZ. The discovery came seven months before the singer’s April arrest, the outlet reported.
D4vd has pleaded not guilty and has remained in custody since his arrest, according to TMZ.
What prosecutors say they have
Prosecutors allege D4vd began a sexual relationship with Rivas when she was 13, according to TMZ. The allegation has not been proven in court.
Prosecutors also say they have DNA evidence, surveillance footage, text messages and phone records that point to D4vd in connection with Rivas’ death, according to TMZ.
The preliminary hearing is the next major step in the case. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence, some of which NBC 4 and TMZ reported may be graphic, while the defense seeks to keep D4vd unrestrained in front of the court.
The judge will decide whether prosecutors have shown enough evidence for the murder case to move toward trial. D4vd’s not guilty plea remains in place.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.