The defense of singer D4vd began outlining its strategy on Thursday, pressing the police for not conducting more DNA tests on objects found in his house and car, allegedly used in the murder of a 14-year-old girl.
The questioning occurred on the third day of the preliminary hearing. The judge will decide if there is probable cause for David Burke – the artist’s legal name – to be brought to trial for murder, sexual assault of a minor and tampering with a corpse. Burke has pleaded not guilty.
Questions to the investigation
Attorney Blair Berk focused on two small chainsaws found in the garage, where prosecutors say the victim’s body was fragmented. Criminalist Lauren Wallace stated that initial chemical tests showed no blood on the saws, so no samples were taken from the handles to look for contact DNA.
“If an object has someone else’s DNA, you wouldn’t be able to see it at the time,” Berk said.
“No, you can’t see DNA by contact,” Wallace responded, although he reiterated that the leaves tested negative for blood.
Berk noted that several people lived at the residence, so others’ DNA could be present. Wallace acknowledged that they knew. Additionally, jugs of fake blood were found in the garage; Berk suggested that Burke used them for music videos.
Evidence of location
A detective testified that phone tracking and Burke’s Tesla system placed him at his Hollywood home on the night of April 23, when prosecutors say the crime occurred. The prosecution maintains that Burke began a relationship with the minor when she was 13 years old and he was 18. The night before the homicide, she threatened to expose him, according to court documents. Burke sent a car to pick her up and attacked her when she arrived at her house.
