D4vd murder case: Testimony focuses on singer's finances

[00:00:00]The singer David back in court today as testimony continues in preliminary hearing for a singer acute for the singer accused in the brutal murder of a local teen girl. We're expecting to hear even more graphic evidence today.

[00:00:12]Eyewitness News reporter Tim Caputo live outside the courthouse. He was there yesterday as well and has more on today's activities. Tim?

[00:00:21]>> And Philip, good morning to you. Uh this morning's testimony kind of a continuation of where we left off yesterday afternoon talking about David's finances. The up-and-coming singer making a staggering amount of money in the first couple years of his career reportedly more than $10 million in just a 2-year span likely setting the stage for what prosecutors believe is the motive in this case. They believe that David killed Celeste Robinson Fernandez because of a sexual relationship he was having with that 14-year-old knowing if that came to light it would potentially ruin the budding musician's financially lucrative career. Today the talk in the courthouse was all about money and relationships.

[00:00:58]Revealing the 19-20 year-old artist what the old pop singer purchased two homes at the time only 19-20 years old. He made upwards of $10 million in the first few years of his music career. At the time though prosecutors say David was also in a sexual relationship with Robinson Fernandez who was 13 at the time and they claim he killed her last spring because she threatened to reveal the relationship which would by all accounts ruin his career. Robinson Fernandez's parents were once again sitting front row in the courtroom for day two of this preliminary hearing but this morning's testimony has been far less graphic. On Tuesday disturbing photos of the decomposing and dismembered body of that 14-year-old were shown in court as the DA tries to convince this judge in this preliminary hearing that there is more than enough evidence for this murder case to go to trial.

[00:01:44]>> It will be seeking to hold David to answer for three felony counts of which he has been charged. First-degree murder with special circumstances.

[00:01:55]Uh the count of lewd and lascivious acts with a 13-year-old and a count of mutilation of human remains. The standard that we have to meet is not beyond a reasonable doubt at the preliminary hearing stage. It is a It is probable cause.

[00:02:12]>> And that is a far lower standard of proof for the prosecution in this case.

[00:02:16]Yesterday as well, prosecutors say in the days and weeks after Revas Fernandez's death, David purchased a number of items including chainsaws and a mop through apps like Amazon, delivered straight to the house he was renting, they claim were all used to dismember her body and hide evidence. In today's testimony as well, not just about finances, but kind of how they intersect with their relationship as well. Prosecutors asked his financial advisor about purchasing plane tickets for Celeste to meet him in London. Even purchasing plane tickets for Celeste to go to Texas to meet David's family, as well as getting her a fake ID so she could go to clubs and bars with him.

[00:02:53]Obviously, this is just still the early stage of this preliminary hearing. The DA said yesterday this could last up to 5 days, and this is only day two. We're live in downtown Los Angeles this morning. Tim Caputo, ABC 7 Eyewitness News.