Singer D4vd has requested permission to appear without handcuffs and other physical restraints during his preliminary hearing in the murder case of Celeste Rivas, according to court documents filed ahead of proceedings scheduled to begin Tuesday.
The motion, filed by defense attorney Blair Berk, argues that the musician has demonstrated consistent courtroom decorum throughout the legal proceedings. According to NBC 4 Los Angeles, Berk emphasized in the filing that her client has never attempted to flee custody or caused disruptions during his five previous court appearances, all of which proceeded without incident.
The preliminary hearing represents a critical juncture in the case, during which prosecutors will present evidence to convince a judge that sufficient grounds exist to proceed to a full murder trial. Court observers anticipate that some of the evidence presented may be graphic in nature.
D4vd faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of the teenager, whose dismembered body was discovered in a Tesla registered to the musician. Authorities arrested him in April, seven months after the body was found. Beyond the murder charge, prosecutors have also filed counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and mutilation of a body.
Prosecutors allege that D4vd engaged in a sexual relationship with Celeste Rivas beginning when she was just 13 years old. The state claims to possess substantial evidence linking the musician to the crime, including DNA analysis, surveillance video footage, text message exchanges, and phone records.
The defendant has entered a not guilty plea and has remained in custody since his arrest earlier this year. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo has not yet ruled on the motion to remove restraints during the preliminary hearing.
Defense requests to appear unshackled during court proceedings are not uncommon, particularly when defendants argue that visible restraints could prejudice potential jurors or undermine the presumption of innocence. Courts typically weigh such requests against security concerns and the defendant's prior behavior in custody.