Overview
- Burke, who pleaded not guilty Monday, Aug. 31, formally entered not-guilty pleas to first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
- At the Aug. 31 arraignment Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter were allowed to withdraw after the court determined Burke qualified for appointed counsel and the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office took over.
- Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel asked for time to review transcripts but Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied the request and set a status conference for Oct. 19 while Burke remains jailed without bail.
- Prosecutors say a July five-day preliminary hearing produced enough evidence to send the case to trial, citing texts, photos, iCloud and phone records, purchase and location data, forensic findings and autopsy results.
- The district attorney has not decided whether to seek the death penalty, and prosecutors say any capital decision will consider a mitigation packet and further materials the new defense may present.