Biographical snapshot amid high-profile case and conviction
Los Angeles prosecutors have presented texts, photos and forensic evidence at a preliminary hearing accusing singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, of murdering and sexually abusing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Evidence shown has included long-running messages, indications of a pregnancy and abortion, purchases of tools and a body bag, and DNA matches tying blood in Burke’s garage and a Tesla to the victim.
A Buffalo jury has found Hadi Matar guilty on all counts in a federal terrorism case stemming from the 2022 stabbing of Salman Rushdie during a talk on writers’ safety. Matar already faces a 25-year state sentence for the August 2022 attack; the federal verdict could carry a life term. Prosecutors say the act was motivated by Iran’s fatwa against Rushdie and Hezbollah ties, while the defense questions Matar’s state of mind.
Salman Rushdie has been named the 39th recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Distinguished Contribution to American Letters award. The ceremony in Manhattan on Nov. 18 will also honor Perri Klass with the Literarian Award. Rushdie, who has built a career across South Asia, London and New York, has published more than 20 works and survived the 2022 stabbing attack.