Taylor Parise

Singer D4vd, or David Anthony Burke, will officially face a trial for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled this afternoon. District Attorney Nathan Hochman commended Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman in her work on this case and said their office is confident they will attain a conviction in Burke's trial. He highlighted that the evidence presented at the preliminary hearing is a "small preview" of the evidence to come. @lamag @conlin_lauren

BREAKING 🚨Judge Rules D4vd Ordered to Stand Trial for Murder on All Charges. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said after the proceedings that he remains undecided on whether his office will seek the death penalty. Burke is due back in court for his arraignment on August 31. Read more: lamag.com/crimeinla/judg…

D4VD UPDATE: Judge determines there is sufficient evidence for David Anthony Burke to be tried on all counts for the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Full story coming to @LAmag

WHAT WE KNOW so far from closing arguments at D4vd's preliminary hearing: Marilyn Bednarski presented final arguments for the defense, specifically focusing on the three special circumstances of: - Lying in wait The defense argued the prosecution failed to prove Burke intentionally concealed his purpose, watched and waited for a substantial period, and carried out a surprise attack from a position of advantage. She argued the evidence instead showed Celeste Hernandez initiated the meeting, insisted on coming over despite Burke telling her no, while also pointing out Burke was online gaming with two friends shortly before she arrived, which he said undercut any claim that Burke was lying in wait. Bednarksi argued the fatal front-to-back stab wound was inconsistent with a surprise attack. - Financial gain Bednarski argued there was no evidence Burke killed Hernandez for financial gain because the prosecution failed to identify any concrete financial benefit that would result from her death. The defense said Burke wanting to protect his music career was too speculative, arguing future earnings and career prospects are not the type of identifiable financial gain required under the law. - Witness killing The defense argued the prosecution failed to prove Burke's purpose was to prevent Hernandez from serving as a witness in a criminal proceeding, as she made no threat to go to the police. Overall, Bednarski said there was no evidence in this case, only circumstantial evidence, pointing to a lack of video footage to data to prove what Burke was doing during the minutes Celeste was suspected to be killed. Beth Silverman countered all these points during her closing arguments, which are still ongoing. She noted that all three special circumstances were intertwined. "I’m sure the court isn’t surprised to hear that the people’s position is the exact opposite," Silverman said before responding to each point. To the point of lying in wait, Silverman said though Celeste made the plan to meet, she did not know what David had planned for her. The prosecution argued Burke intentionally lured Celeste into a vulnerable position before killing her. The prosecution also pointed to the unlocked gate and door referenced in Burke's tests that he was ready for Celeste to arrive. Silverman stated it does not matter what Burke was doing prior to Celeste's arrival, only that he was waiting for her. To the point of financial gain, Silverman argued Burke's motive was financial, claiming Hernandez had become a threat to his rapidly growing music career. They presented evidence that Burke had recording contracts worth millions of dollars, significant assets and a career that depended heavily on his public image. They stated a firm monetary amount was not required, and future gain was valid under this circumstance. She maintained Burke stood to protect the financial value of his career and future earnings by eliminating that threat, making financial gain a motivating factor in the killing. To the point of witness killing, Silverman stated Burke killed Celeste to prevent her from reporting their relationship to friends, family and on the internet, as she threatened to do in their text exchanges. She argued Burke understood she posed a serious legal risk and killed her to silence her before she could report him, leading to a future criminal proceeding. According to Silverman, witness killing stands even if there is not a current criminal proceeding at the time of death. At noon, the judge asked Silverman how many more minutes she needed to complete her argument, and Silverman stated 10 more minutes. The judge decided to break for lunch at this point. Silverman will resume her closing arguments at 1:30 p.m. Before breaking for lunch, Silverman delivered a chilling line that had a reporter in the room muttering, "Jesus." "Her body turned to liquid while he went on tour," Silverman said, as she laid out what she believes happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez. @conlin_lauren @LAmag

DAVID's REACTION: During Detective Farrell's testimony, Burke stared straight ahead while texts were read, looking at the screen in that notable casual manner. Strangely, while defense was cross-examining Farrell, Burke remained looking down through most of Blair Berk's questions to Farrell.

UPDATE: We are now on another 15 minute recess. Both the prosecution and the defense have rested. Beth Silverman asked for time to gather her notes before final arguments. In the final moments of Blair Berk's cross-examination, she pushed that there is not video evidence or data showing what Celeste and David were doing between 10:10 p.m. and 10:31 p.m. on April 23, 2025, the time Celeste is believed to be killed. Berk asked whether investigators found any text messages or other digital evidence showing what Celeste and David were doing afterward at 10:11 p.m., after confirming the drop-off time, Farrell responded, "Correct," indicating there was no such evidence. Berk then said there was not any electronic communications or text messages between 10:11 p.m. and 10:31 p.m. confirming what the pair were doing. Farrell again answered, "Correct." Berk also asked whether investigators determined that David Burke was away from the home during the day on April 23. Farrell replied, "I don't know." When Berk followed up by asking whether Burke's activities that day had been investigated, Farrell again said he did not know. Berk then noted that investigators were aware of text messages between Celeste and David indicating Burke was away from the home during the day, attending an Interscope meeting. Farrell confirmed, saying, "Yes," saying he was aware of the meeting. Berk said no more questions. When given the opportunity to respond, Silverman established why no video evidence existed. She asked Farrell to clarify this, and Farrell said because of the amount of time that passed while the body had been concealed, video evidence was not available when the investigation began. Silverman had nothing further to add.

D4VD HEARING UPDATE: – David Anthony Burke entered the courtroom appearing relaxed and in good spirits. He smiled and whispered with defense attorney Blair Berk, and at one point seemingly joked with the courtroom clerk about water. – Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman resumed Detective Farrell's testimony by establishing that Burke and Celeste Rivas Hernandez remained in regular contact through mid-March 2025 and exchanged between 8,000 and 9,000 text messages before her death. Silverman focused on conversations from April 22-26, 2025, the time period leading up to Celeste’s death,  including messages about Burke's friendship with Ayisa Collins. – Silverman then walked through the April 23 conversation in which Burke and Celeste coordinated an Uber ride to his home. The messages showed Burke ordering the ride at Celeste's request, confirming the pickup location and tracking the driver's arrival: 5:07 p.m. D: why do i have to show u everything i get C: ummmbecause i had ur embryo in me C: get uber queen C: 33070 D: getting it C: jamieson st Silverman asks if thats the same street her family lived on at the time. Farrell, “yes.” D: 4 min D: 1 min D: hes there 8:39 p.m. C: okkk C: girly pop im almost there open ur door if ur homeee D: got uu *no movement, no emotion from david here.” 10:10 p.m. D: gate open door unlocked 10:31 p.m. D: uber said ur here wya? After this, Burke repeatedly texted Celeste, asking where she was. His final messages were sent around 11:41 p.m. – The prosecution then shifted to digital evidence. Detective Farrell testified Uber records showed the ride arrived around 10:10 p.m. Prosecutors also introduced evidence regarding cellphone movements, Burke's Tesla and a photograph of the Tesla's navigation screen showing Santa Barbara destinations, including Lake Cachuma and a Tesla Supercharger in Santa Ynez. Defense questions investigation and age representations – On cross-examination, Blair Berk challenged Detective Farrell's recollection of early communications between Burke and Celeste. Farrell repeatedly testified that he reviewed thousands of messages and could not remember individual conversations without reviewing Cellebrite reports. Berk also established that investigators found Celeste had represented herself as both 16 and 18 years old at different times and noted the defense had prepared its own compilation of raw iCloud message data, to which Farrell said he did review this in their messages. – Berk introduced additional portions of the April 22-23 conversations that were not discussed during direct examination. She pointed to messages in which Celeste threatened to mutilate Burke, kill him, ruin his career, contact his mother, leak damaging information and spread information to people in his professional life. Detective Farrell agreed those messages existed and testified he did not recall seeing Celeste threaten to report Burke to police or reference participating in a criminal prosecution. – Blair Berk questioned Farrell about the extent to which Burke and Celeste's relationship was known before April 2025. Farrell testified that Celeste's parents, relatives, friends and Burke's mother were aware of the relationship. He also confirmed Burke attended church with Celeste's family, spent time with them at malls and amusement parks, and that Celeste's parents signed a notarized travel consent form allowing Burke to take her to London in September 2024; this was all found through text message evidence. Farrell also testified Celeste attended Coachella and Burke's performances with people in Burke's circle. – Berk attempted to question Farrell about allegations that Celeste had previously committed domestic violence against Burke and made reference to Celeste allegedly bringing up bipolar disorder, which Silverman objected. The judge ruled those topics were not relevant to the probable cause issues being considered at the preliminary hearing. This would be evidence used by defense in a trial. – Berk seemed to be insinuating that Celeste was abusive towards David, pointing to this message sent by her: Celeste: oh my fucken god I swear to GOD i will kill u she was in my dam seat i will strangle u to fucken death bro i will tell my dad so many fucken lies about u dead ass i will end ur career and ur life i will damage anything –  Before break, the defense concluded by focusing on the investigation into Celeste's arrival at Burke's home. Farrell testified investigators determined Burke was playing a virtual reality game with others while Celeste was traveling in the Uber. He also agreed there were no eyewitnesses who saw Celeste exit the Uber or enter the residence, no surveillance video showing either Celeste or Burke outside the home, and no witness who observed what occurred during the roughly 20-minute period investigators believe encompassed Celeste's death. Farrell further acknowledged the Uber driver had no independent recollection of the ride and could not confirm the exact drop-off time. @LAmag @conlin_lauren

D4vd Preliminary Hearing Day 5: Prosecutors will continue presenting evidence today as they seek to establish probable cause for David Anthony Burke to stand trial on charges including first-degree murder, lewd acts upon a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains in the brutal death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Over the first four days of testimony, the court has heard extensive evidence ranging from explicit texts revealing a pregnancy and an abortion, search warrants, disturbing Amazon purchases, cellular and Tesla data, forensic testing, DNA analysis, and financial records to detailed testimony from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, who ruled Celeste’s death a homicide caused by multiple penetrating injuries. Prosecutors have also presented evidence they allege links Celeste’s DNA to multiple locations inside Burke’s Tesla and residence, while the defense has focused on challenging investigative methods, forensic conclusions, and the strength of the prosecution’s evidence. @conlin_lauren and @taylorparise will be going live during the hearing lunch break at 12:15 p.m. PST- link below:  youtube.com/watch?v=S6ydSh…

D4VD HEARING: Another early morning at the courthouse. Day 5 of David Anthony Burke’s preliminary hearing begins today at 9:30 a.m. I’ll be posting updates as soon as I have them here on X, and @conlin_lauren and I will be going live at 12:15 p.m. PST for a lunch break update on @LAmag’s YouTube.

I joined Alexandra Goldberg with @livenowfox to discuss more about the details revealed in court today, including Celeste’s confirmed abortion and high emotions in the court room:

Texts between D4vd and Celeste, where he is 19 and she is 13 on both threads. *First text thread would appear to imply his mother, Colleen Burke, was aware. June 19, 2024 1:18 am Celeste: ur mom know we had sex yet David: she thinks that’s the first thing we gonna do when we see each other *More (appearing to refer to the abortion) Aug 30 2024 2:08 am Celeste: realistically i care abt u I killed my kid first you David: it has to be in the right time with the least complications Celeste: I still would've been there for it David: yeah selfishly because it would have also been mine Celeste: david im going to have to lie to people around me even my kid for the rest of my life Celeste: I dnt like talking abt it cause it gets me rlly upset but id do it again transcribed by @taylorparise of @lamag.

BREAKING: Graphic autopsy photos and disturbing forensic testimony, along with alleged CSAM evidence and testimony about a pregnancy and abortion, marked one of the most emotional days yet in D4vd's preliminary hearing, as the Rivas family left in tears. An LAPD detective testified investigators recovered alleged child sexual abuse material and evidence prosecutors say showed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez underwent at least one abortion at age 13. Read more from @conlin_lauren & @TaylorParise ⬇️ lamag.com/crimeinla/grap…

FORGOT TO MENTION: Burke and Celeste confirmed a sex tape was made. When Celeste asked if there was a sex tape, Burke wrote "few of em yup." Celeste asked Burke not to leak it, and Burke said "YOU dont leak it." Celeste was 13 years old a the time these messages were exchanged.

D4VD HEARING UPDATE: D4vd's hearing will continue on Monday at 9:30 a.m. During the afternoon testimony from Detective Corey Farrell from the LAPD read through text exchanges between David Anthony Burke and Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Celeste was 13 and Burke was 19 for a majority of the messages read. Full story is out now @lamag @Conlin_Lauren Here is a breakdown of the text exchanges: WARNING -- These messages contain information about sexual relations with a minor. When the hearing resumed after an afternoon break, texts were read between David Anthony Burke and Celeste Rivas Hernandez that detailed a sexual relationship between the two. Here is an overview of the texts read by the detective in court. – Burke and Celeste’s discuss future plans, including marriage and wanting two kids, possibly adopting more in the future. – Celeste’s period is brought up many times. Celeste frequently worried about another pregnancy, while Burke would tell her not to worry, according to the text messages. Burke stated in the messages that he tracked Celeste’s period and intentionally had sex with her when she was not ovulating. – Throughout the reading of tests, Silverman repeatedly asks the detective to clarify Celeste’s age, specifically when messages became graphic. Throughout most of the explicit messages, Celeste was 13 years old and Burk was 19. They’re relationship continued through her 14th birthday. – Burke wrote in the messages that he did not want anyone knowing that he was having sex with Celeste until they were married. On June 19, 2024, Celeste asks if Burke’s mom knows that the two have had sex. Burke responds: “she thnks thats the first thing we gonna do when we see eachother” – On Aug. 30, 2024, Celeste expresses regret about the abortion, saying she killed her baby for Burke. – On June 27, 2024, Celeste describes painful sex, saying “IT HURTTT.” Burke argued that he did not hurt Celeste because he didn’t hear her say “ow.” Celeste responded numerous times saying she was, in fact, hurt. – Nov. 7, 2024, Celeste stated she had sex with Burke for “almost a year straight.” There was seemingly a conflict between the two, with Burke saying “you’re treating it like its the first break up.” He responds once more, saying, “this is the 8th time.” Burke later accuses Celeste of initiating kissing and sex, saying he “folds” every time.  “i followed you’re lead,” he wrote. – In the last hour of testimony, while text messages were read, Burke seemed distracted. He was hunched over the table, scribbling on his yellow notepad and flipping through the pages. Only occasionally did he glance up, frowning while reading the screen. He would then turn back to his notes.

Break UPDATE: D4vd Hearing Detective Corey Farrell testified to explicit images and text messages found of and between Celeste Rivas Hernandez and David Anthony Burke. @LAmag – Detective Corey Farrell, currently employed in the robbery-homicide division at LAPD, testified about evidence recovered from David Anthony Burke's iPhone and iCloud accounts. He identified the phone as Burke's based on the investigation and due to it being found in Burke’s Hollywood Hills home. – The phone contained extensive personal evidence linking Burke to the device, including photos of his driver's license, passport, selfies, a fake ID from North Carolina, banking information and other personal documents. – Numerous photos were shown to the court documenting Burke and Celeste Rivas Hernandez's relationship, including Burke holding what appeared to be a ring, photos of Celeste with dyed red hair, photos of the two kissing in bed, photos of the two FaceTiming. There were also two photos of a female hand with the tattoo “David” in red cursive letters wearing the ring that David was holding in prior photo. Additionally, a llock screen image showing the pair topless and embracing was mentioned, but not shown. – Farrell testified the phone contained sexually explicit photos and videos that he said documented a sexual relationship between Burke and Celeste. He testified the images appeared to have been taken in Burke's bedroom and included nude images of both individuals. Farrell described images of both David and Celeste performing sex and oral sex on one another, as well as images of their genitalia. Prosecutors referenced this as CSAM recovered from the phone. The images themselves were not shown in court but were described by Farrell after being filtered by LAPD's cyber crimes division for discovery purposes. Celeste was often identified in photos by her red hair. – In the middle of discussing the nude images, Celeste's parents left the courtroom after becoming overwhelmed during the graphic testimony. Celeste’s mother sobbed as she exited the room. Beth Silverman said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” to the family as they exited. – Farrell testified investigators recovered text messages between Burke and Celeste from Burke's iCloud account. The first communication was dated Aug. 8, 2022, when Celeste was 11 years old. The last recovered message was dated April 23, 2025. Farrell testified the messages corroborated the photos, discussing: Their sexual relationship. Plans to meet. Travel between Lake Elsinore and Burke's home. Their future together. Pregnancy concerns. Abortions and emergency contraception. – Operation Awesome, or O.A as referred to in some texts, was what David and Celeste called the plans for Celeste to run away from home and live with David. A Vegas trip was confirmed to be booked for the two at Trump Hotel. – Investigators recovered photos of Plan B emergency contraception from Burke's iCloud, which prosecutors connected to the text message conversations. Messages from late 2023 showed discussions about pregnancy, including Burke encouraging Celeste to track her menstrual cycle and conversations in which she said she would not continue a pregnancy. Atleast one abortion was confirmed to have taken place in January of 2024. - Sheldon, a body guard hired by David, was confirmed to have driven Celeste and Burke around in the text messages. Farrell did not state his last name. – Throughout the testimony, Burke remained largely expressionless, occasionally shifting in his seat or leaning his head, while showing no emotion. He continued to face forward as Celeste's mom left the room crying. Cross-examination has not yet begun. Silverman will continue with Farrell's testimony when the break ends. @conlin_lauren

CONCLUDING CROSSEXAMINATION: I entered the courtroom at approximately 11:45 a.m. PT at the time @conlin_lauren left and during the cross-examination by defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski. The question of a possible gunshot was clarified by Dr. Ho. - Bednarski asked extensive questions about the penetration would to the liver, and asked multiple times about the diaphragm, which could not be seen in the images of both the liver and the torso that were shown. Bednarski said penetration wounds were typically estimated in the lower range of measurement. When shown a stack of photos by the defense, Ho said the photos would not be able to demonstrate the wound track, and that was done through an autopsy. Defense pushed, asking if he recalled any pictures that would show the path, and he said there was not. - Dr. Ho was pressed on the state of the lungs, which were severely decomposed. He testified the lungs appear to be intact, but said due to the condition of the body, it could be possible that there were injuries that could not be seen. - Bednarski questioned Dr. Ho on whether or not he could prove if blood from the wounds bled externally or internally, asking if there is any physical evidence to substantiate that any blood exited the body, and Dr. Ho said there is nothing he can point to that would disprove that. - Defense pointed to the multiple linear abrasions to Celeste's right hand, which Dr. Ho said were “so superficial” and “best described as scrapes.” Defense asked Ho to clarify that it could not be determined what caused these, and he said “correct.” - Dr. Ho clarified a previous statement about a possible gunshot. He stated there was cortical disruption of ribs, but cannot determine the cause. The reference to the gunshot was that it could be anything, but gunshot was possible, and additional testing would be necessary to determine the cause. The defense pushed, saying there was no penetration object found to prove a gunshot, and Dr. Ho said “correct.” The defense asked if there was any evidence to suspect a gunshot, and Ho said “I have no way to prove it,” it is only speculation. - GRAPHIC image was shown of hand and severed fingers. Bednarski pointed out a black plastic bag next to the hand and asked if the bag was brought to the autopsy. Dr. Ho said he did not know, and was only presented with the body. Defense asked if the criminalist briefed Dr. Ho before the autopsy, and he said “no.” Bednarski questioned if Dr. Ho's office maintains evidence in biohazard bags, and Dr. Ho said he would have to refer to the criminalist. Defense asked if the body bag and other evidence was still in the office’s possession. Dr. Ho said he would not know. He continuously deferred to the office, saying he is not an expert in that.

🚨 D4vd Preliminary Hearing - Day 4 MORNING BREAK🚨 WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT @lamag Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Grant Ho resumes testimony: -Dr. Ho testified the odor from Celeste’s body was strong enough to be detected from the hallway outside the autopsy room -Due to the marked decomposition, Dr. Ho said it was difficult to estimate how long Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been deceased. Factors include internal body changes, environmental conditions, how the body was stored, weather/temperature, scavenger activity and whether the remains were isolated. -When asked for a general timeframe…not an exact date…Dr. Ho testified the remains had been deceased for “AT LEAST WEEKS.” -Prosecutor Beth Silverman asked whether the condition of the remains was consistent with Celeste having died as early as April 24. Dr. Ho responded: “POTENTIALLY.” -Dr. Ho testified he conducted the autopsy alongside trainee Dr. Ansel Nam, with Ho serving as the supervising medical examiner. The two verbally discussed their observations during the examination while notes were recorded on coroner diagrams. Photographs and diagrams were also created as part of the autopsy. -Dr. Ho said the primary observations were marked decomposition and trauma consistent with dismemberment. -Regarding the upper extremities, Dr. Ho testified there was one dismemberment site on each arm. The lower body also showed two cut sites on each side. He described the cut surfaces as generally smooth, but noted tiny blue fragments embedded within the cut surfaces. The fragments were too small for him to identify, so he deferred that analysis to criminalists. Larger fragments were collected and booked into evidence by the Medical Examiner's Office. -Dr. Ho testified the dismemberment extended through bone, not just soft tissue. -Asked what tools medical examiners use to cut through tissue and bone during autopsies, Dr. Ho said scalpels and knives are used for soft tissue and organs, while power tools such as circular bone saws (and rib cutters for ribs) are used to cut through bone because of its density. It seemed like Silverman was highlighting that power tools are the only way to get through the bone. -Regarding the lower extremities, Dr. Ho testified there were two areas that had been cut. - Referring to an autopsy diagram, Dr. Grant Ho testified each leg showed two dismemberment sites: one around the upper thigh and another below the knee. Although the diagrams are not drawn to scale, he noted the cut on the right thigh was lower than the cut on the left thigh, meaning the cuts occurred at different positions on each leg. -Prosecutor Beth Silverman asked whether that pattern was consistent with using a tool to dismember one leg at a time, rather than making one straight cut across both legs. Dr. Ho responded: “POTENTIALLY.” -Asked whether, based on his experience and the appearance of the dismemberment, it looked consistent with the use of a power saw, Dr. Ho answered: “POTENTIALLY.’ -Dr. Ho testified he could not determine whether the dismemberment occurred before or after death. -Asked whether the injuries were consistent with a powered cutting tool such as a chainsaw, Dr. Ho again responded: “POTENTIALLY.” - Dr. Ho testified that, in addition to the amputated arms, the left ring finger and left pinky finger had also been amputated. Those cut surfaces were likewise clean and smooth. Asked whether those finger amputations were consistent with a sharp instrument such as a knife or saw, Dr. Ho answered: "Yes." -Dr. Ho confirmed Autopsy Diagram No. 20 documented those observations. -He also identified a "SHHH" tattoo on the medial side of Celeste's right index finger. -GRAPHIC photos of the right index finger and the amputated left ring and pinky fingers, recovered from the Hollywood tow yard were shown on the screen, with multiple gasps in the gallery. Dr. Ho described clean cut surfaces, brown liquid, and skin slippage consistent with decomposition. -David Burke (D4vd) continued staring at the diagrams and graphic photographs without any visible expression or reaction. -Silverman displayed a FULL BODY, GRAPHIC autopsy photograph with Celeste’s body on a metal table. Burke continued watching the screen without any visible reaction. -Dr. Ho described the body as severely decomposed, discolored, with multiple dismemberment sites visible on the arms and legs. The left arm rested somewhat behind the body. He noted changes in skin color, skin slippage and areas where the skin had dried, explaining postmortem sun exposure can contribute to drying. Celeste's face showed partial skeletonization, with the left eye missing and significant liquefaction of soft tissue. There was still some black, short curly air. He documented multiple skin defects, including both dried areas and wet areas caused by liquidation of tissue breakdown, as well as insect activity, including small larvae. -He explained that during decomposition, organs change color, lose weight and soften. -GRAPHIC photo of Celeste’s discolored raw torso after it was removed from the Tesla. Burke continued staring at the screen without any visible reaction. Dr. Grant Ho pointed out skin defects on the right abdomen, areas of skin discoloration and injuries on the left side of the chest. -Dr. Ho testified there was a penetrating wound that traveled through the skin, through the diaphragm and into the liver, which he said was compatible with a sharp force injury. The wound measured approximately 1.5 inches in depth, but Dr. Ho explained decomposition caused the liver to shrink and soften, making the wound track more difficult to measure. He said it could have originally been deeper. -Dr. Ho testified the wound traveled from front to back, consistent with Celeste being stabbed in the abdomen. -GRAPHIC photo shown of Celeste’s opened chest cavity during the autopsy, showing the injury to the diaphragm and the corresponding defect in the liver. -Another GRAPHIC photograph showed the liver after it had been removed from the body. Dr. Ho testified the organ had changed shape because it is soft tissue, but identified the wound track associated with the abdominal injury. • We then saw close-up photographs showing multiple nonspecific defects in the soft tissue around the ribs. Dr. Ho testified there were skin defects but no corresponding trauma to the underlying ribs or bones, making it impossible to determine whether they represented postmortem changes or true injuries. He said they could have been caused by a sharp object, but could not say definitively. -Another GRAPHIC photograph showed what Dr. Ho described as cortical disruption of the ribs. He testified it represented a penetrating chest injury, with the wound traveling through the skin, soft tissue and into the chest cavity. Because of the condition of the remains, he said it was impossible to determine the wound's endpoint. -Dr. Ho testified the injury had chipped away part of the bone, confirming it was trauma-induced, and estimated the wound penetrated at least two inches. -He identified linear abrasions on the back of Celeste's right hand. -ANOTHER graphic photograph of the severed right knee is shown, taken before the autopsy, which Dr. Ho testified showed blue fragments embedded within the cut surface. He could not determine what caused the blue plastic fragments to become embedded in the cut surfaces of the bone. -Silverman then posed a hypothetical (paraphrasing): If the victim had been placed in a blue inflatable pool after being killed to contain the blood while the body was dismembered with a chainsaw, would that scenario be consistent with the embedded blue plastic fragments? Defense objected: arguing the question lacked foundation, was leading, and that Dr. Ho already said he did not know. Judge Olmedo overruled the objection and Dr. Ho responded: "Possibly." -Dr. Ho then testified the left chest injury was life-threatening, explaining it could have introduced air into the chest cavity, impairing breathing, or directly injured the lung. He also testified the injury to the liver was independently life-threatening, as damage to the organ could result in significant internal bleeding. -Asked how long it would take someone to bleed to death from the chest injury, Dr. Ho said it would take minutes, though he could not be more specific because the exact timeframe depends on numerous factors.When pressed whether it could take up to an hour, Dr. Ho replied he could not say specifically, only that it would occur within minutes, noting there are many minutes within an hour, though. Then Asked whether someone would likely die within an hour without medical treatment, Dr. Ho said that question was outside his area of expertise. -Dr. Ho testified the average adult has about five liters of blood, but said a typical 14-year-old would have less, though he did not know the exact amount off the top of his head. - Regarding Celeste’s liver injury, Dr. Ho testified the resulting hemorrhaging likewise could become life-threatening within minutes, potentially extending to up to about an hour, depending on the circumstances. -Silverman also asked again about the orthodontic hardware noted during the autopsy that he referred to as braces on Thursday. Dr. Ho testified he observed wire bonded to the back of both the upper and lower teeth, but repeatedly clarified, "I'm not a dentist.”