Court hears explicit texts, photos in D4vd murder case

Text messages and photographs presented in a Los Angeles courtroom this week have revealed disturbing new details about the alleged sexual relationship between singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, and the 14-year-old girl he is accused of murdering. The evidence, shown during a preliminary hearing to determine if Burke will stand trial, includes discussions of a pregnancy and abortion, explicit images, and a plan for the teenager to run away from home.

Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The hearing, which concluded on July 25, featured testimony from Los Angeles Police Detective Corey Farell, who described dozens of sexual photographs of the victim recovered from Burke's iPhone. The images, which were not displayed in open court, allegedly showed the pair engaged in sexual acts and included close-up photos of their genitals. Burke's lock screen was reportedly a picture of the two embracing while topless.

Prosecutors presented text messages indicating the relationship began when...