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Singer D4vd requests handcuffs off for preliminary hearing in murder case
Summary by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Eric Leonard , NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 20, 2026
· 3 min read
The pop singer known as “D4vd” has filed a motion requesting courtroom deputies remove his handcuffs and other restraints during his preliminary hearing, which is set to take place this week in downtown Los Angeles. D4vd, whose legal name is David A. Burke, will be in the courtroom for each day o...
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Summary created by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Eric Leonard, NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Burke, will be in the courtroom for each day of the hearing.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The request by D4vd's defense team to remove his handcuffs during the preliminary hearing raises questions about the balance between courtroom security and a defendant's right to a fair trial. In Los Angeles County, where high-profile cases often draw significant media attention, the use of restraints can be a contentious issue. The fact that D4vd has made five uneventful court appearances and has not attempted to escape suggests that his defense team may have a strong argument for minimal restraints. As the preliminary hearing begins, the community will be watching to see how Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo rules on this motion, and how it may impact the proceedings. The case itself has already sparked concern about the handling of evidence, with previous reports of leaks at the LA Medical Examiner's Office, and the upcoming testimony of Los Angeles Police Department detectives will be closely scrutinized.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The pop singer known as “D4vd” has filed a motion requesting courtroom deputies remove his handcuffs and other restraints during his preliminary hearing, which is set to take place this week in downtown Los Angeles. D4vd, whose legal name is David A. Burke, will be in the courtroom for each day o...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric Leonard at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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