A Los Angeles County judge ruled on Monday that singer David Burke will stand trial on charges related to the fatal stabbing and dismemberment of a teenage girl, identified as Hernandez. Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Hernandez inside his Hollywood home on April 23, 2024, before mutilating her body with a chainsaw. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The preliminary hearing revealed a complex and troubled relationship between Burke and Hernandez, who were involved for nearly two years before reportedly breaking up in November 2024. Despite the breakup, the two continued communicating through over 1,200 text messages in the months leading up to her death, with evidence suggesting ongoing disputes over their relationship status and Burke’s interactions with other women.

Autopsy reports confirmed Hernandez died from multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen. Prosecutors presented text messages and other evidence indicating that Burke impregnated Hernandez, leading to an abortion in early 2024. The couple allegedly discussed plans to marry overseas and for Hernandez to leave her home in Lake Elsinore to live with Burke. Several sexually explicit images and messages recovered from Burke’s seized cellphone were also introduced during the hearing.

On the stand, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Corey Farell acknowledged there were no eyewitnesses to the killing or sightings of either Burke or Hernandez between 10:10 p.m. and 10:31 p.m. on the night of the alleged crime, the time frame prosecutors believe the murder occurred. Prosecutors allege that Hernandez was killed in response to threats she made against Burke, including messages in which she threatened to "mutilate" his genitals and expose damaging information about him.

The court heard that Hernandez’s parents had consented to her travel with Burke, including a trip to London in 2024, and that her adult sister was aware of their trip to Las Vegas where the pair planned to engage in sexual activity. Hernandez was also shown visiting Burke’s family during a concert at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood.

Defense attorney Blair Berk attempted to introduce evidence suggesting Hernandez misrepresented her age to Burke, claiming she told him she was 16 when they met and 18 when sexual encounters began. However, Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman countered that Burke had been informed by law enforcement that Hernandez was a minor, explaining that ignorance of a victim’s age is not a defense under California law.

Silverman further argued that Hernandez had been groomed and manipulated by Burke, citing texts pointing to her fragile mental health, including indications of bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation. Prosecutors contend that Burke exploited and abused Hernandez over a prolonged period, repeatedly gaslighting her into believing she wanted the sexual encounters.

The judge upheld three special circumstances filed by the prosecution, indicating that Burke may have ambushed Hernandez, killed her to cover up a crime, and murdered her for financial gain. These charges raise the possibility that Burke could face life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty if convicted. The court rejected the defense’s motion to dismiss the charges, finding sufficient probable cause to move forward to trial. Prosecutors also noted that the sexual abuse and corpse mutilation charges against Burke remain intact.

Evidence presented during the hearing included text messages Burke sent to Hernandez’s phone hours after allegedly arranging for her to be transported from Lake Elsinore to his residence. Prosecutors suggested these messages were an effort to create an alibi, while phone records indicated Burke was driving out of town and abandoning Hernandez’s passport card along a highway in Santa Barbara County.

The case proceeds with Burke facing trial on multiple serious charges including murder, child sexual abuse, and mutilation of a corpse.