Fame Under Fire

Fame Under Fire is inside the courtroom for day one of the preliminary hearing involving singer d4vd, whose real name is David Burke.
This podcast contains some disturbing scenes.
Our reporter joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty from the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles as prosecutors begin presenting the evidence they say supports charges of murder, unlawful dismemberment and continuous sexual abuse in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His attorneys say the evidence will show that he did not murder Celeste and was not the cause of her death.
Fame Under Fire will be following the D4vd preliminary hearing from inside the Los Angeles courtroom, with daily reporting, legal analysis and the latest developments.
If you’ve been affected by anything in this episode and you’re in the UK, details of organisations that can provide help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Leona Gasper
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Recorded at the 2026 Crossed Wires festival Anoushka and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent explore how social media is transforming the courtroom.
They discuss the growing influence of social media on juries, lawyers, and public opinion, and answer questions from the audience.

Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Fame Under Fire's resident trial attorney Shaun Kent is in the UK!
He joins Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty in the London studio to discuss one of the biggest shifts taking place in the legal world: the growing influence of social media on criminal trials. From celebrity cases to viral courtroom moments, they explore how online audiences are changing the way lawyers, juries and the public engage with the justice system.
Shaun talks about becoming the subject of global online attention during one of his own recent murder trials, and how social media affected both the courtroom and his personal life.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Your comments and questions following our exclusive interview with the actress Jen Ann, who accuses Kanye West of sexually assaulting her.
She filed a civil lawsuit in 2024. Kanye’s lawyers don't deny it happened, but they say it was art and that Jen consented to it.
Our resident trial attorney Shaun Kent and Anoushka answer your questions - from why Jen Ann could file after 14 years, to why Kanye's team is questioning if he even knew Jen was a woman.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Produced by Jim Frank & Ivana Davidovic
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production Coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

The timetable in the criminal case against D4vd has changed following the latest court hearing.
David Anthony Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges relating to the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The preliminary hearing, where prosecutors seek to establish probable cause, has been delayed.
The hearing is also expected to include witness scheduling, meaning testimony could form part of the proceedings before any trial begins. The delay pushes back the wider court process while prosecutors and defence lawyers continue preparing their cases.
Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty
Series Producer: Louise Clarke
Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart Smith
Digital Journalist: Daniel Raza
Researcher: Helena Warwick-Cross
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas
Technical Producer: Cameron Ward
Editor: Clare Fordham
Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland
Assistant Commissioner: Chris Walsh-Heron
Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts