D4vd Garage Showed Blood Traces in 14-Year-Old's Dismemberment Case as Prosecutors Cite $19 Million Motive
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 23
D4vd Garage Showed Blood Traces in 14-Year-Old's Dismemberment Case as Prosecutors Cite $19 Million Motive
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jul 23
Summary
LAPD criminologist Lauren Wallace testified that gym mats, brick flooring, a rowing machine, a Tesla charging plug and a trash bag in D4vd’s garage showed possible blood traces where prosecutors say Celeste Rivas Hernandez was dismembered.
Wallace said ultraviolet light and chemical testing flagged multiple stains, though under cross-examination she acknowledged the results could not definitively prove blood months after the alleged killing.
Prosecutors separately pointed to stronger forensic links, citing an April court filing that said evidence from the garage matched the 14-year-old victim’s DNA; Wallace also said two recovered chainsaws tested negative and a 10-inch Makita was never found.
Interscope executive Louis Poimiroo testified Burke could have made up to $19 million from future record options and branding deals, supporting prosecutors’ claim he killed Hernandez to protect his career from exposure of alleged abuse.
Judge Charlaine Olmedo will decide after the preliminary hearing—expected to run several more days—whether Burke, who has pleaded not guilty, will stand trial on murder, sexual abuse and corpse-mutilation charges.