Not every story lives in the filings. What someone wears to their arraignment says as much as the plea they enter. A courtroom sketch can become the image a case is remembered by. The PR statement released ten minutes after a verdict is its own kind of evidence. This is where we track the parts of a celebrity case that don't show up on the docket.
Courtroom Sketches
The Art
By Bill Robles
ARRAIGNMENT ยท APR 20, 2026
People v. d4vd
David Anthony Burke in a county-issued orange jumpsuit. The sketch that will define the early days of this case.
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Featured Artist
Emmy-nominated courtroom illustrator with 50+ years at the bench. Covered Charles Manson, O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, Ted Kaczynski, Timothy McVeigh, Richard Ramirez, and Rodney King for CBS, NBC News, CNN, the Washington Post, and the LA Times. Library of Congress acquired his original courtroom artwork in 2016. LA Society of Illustrators Lifetime Achievement Award (2003). @billrobles.art
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Featured Artist
LA's other living courtroom sketch legend. Drew O.J. Simpson, the Menendez brothers, Michael Jackson (2005 trial & the 2011 Conrad Murray manslaughter case), Phil Spector, Robert Blake, Heidi Fleiss, Britney Spears's conservatorship, Lori Loughlin (Varsity Blues), Lindsay Lohan, and Charlie Sheen — for ABC News since the 1980s. Author of Sketches From the Trial. Also a working fashion illustrator (LA Times, Saks). monashaferedwards.com
โ Scroll sideways · 4 sketches from two hearings, one artist.
Status conference ยท Apr 29, 2026
People v. d4vd ยท close-up
Burke in the orange county jumpsuit, Judge Olmedo at the bench. Prelim postponed, seal motion denied. Two LA legends covering the case at different stages.
Status conference ยท Apr 29, 2026
People v. d4vd ยท wide courtroom
Burke at the defense table, attorneys (Berk & co-counsel) alongside, deputies posted at the back. The companion piece to the close-up. Mona signed lower-right.
Status hearing ยท May 12, 2026
People v. d4vd ยท full-body
Burke handcuffed at the wrists, hair grown out. The May 12 hearing where prelim got pushed to June 29 and the DNA discovery dispute became center of gravity.
Status hearing ยท May 12, 2026
People v. d4vd ยท seated
Burke seated at the counsel table. Prelim continued to June 29; prosecutor Silverman confirms 10 of ~40 TB turned over to defense.
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Coming May 18 ยท Lively v. Wayfarer trial sketches drop when SDNY proceedings begin
Other Notable Courtroom Sketch Artists ยท U.S. v. Combs
The Diddy Trial Trio
Three veteran SDNY sketch artists sat front row for the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex-trafficking trial, using binoculars to catch the witness stand and turning out up to six finished pieces a day. Combs famously complained one of them was making him look "like a koala."
40+ years. Pastel sketches of Trump, Epstein, Weinstein, Cosby, and Combs. Her Trump arraignment sketch went viral and landed on the cover of The New Yorker. janerosenbergart.com โ
Veteran New York courtroom illustrator. Covered the Combs trial and Trump's Manhattan hush-money trial for CNN. Four decades of landmark federal and state cases. @christine.cornell โ
Career sketch artist who drew Combs for the Associated Press. Co-author of The Illustrated Courtroom (with Bill Robles). Tracked Combs's reaction when bail was denied. elizabethwilliamstudio.com โ
For more courtroom art from sketch artists across the country, follow @courtroom_art on Instagram.
Courtroom Couture
The Lookโ Scroll sideways · courtwear stories, one card at a time.
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Charcoal & Sheen ยท Copyright Trial ยท May 6, 2026
Ye at the Courthouse - Charcoal Suit, Sheen Shirt, Heavy Boots
Ye turned up to his ongoing copyright trial on May 6 in a slate-grey linen-blend suit, the jacket cut clean and single-button, paired with a satin-sheen collared shirt in a deep brown tone. Bottom line: chunky black leather work boots instead of dress shoes - the off-pairing that turns a normal trial fit into a deliberate one. Captured by BACKGRID, surfaced via @whatisyewearing.
Photo: BACKGRID ยท via @whatisyewearing
Photo: BACKGRID ยท via @whatisyewearing
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Greens & Olives ยท Federal Court of Australia ยท Apr 2026
Across the Pond - Wilson and Ghost Both Pick Green
At the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney, courtroom couture took an unexpected turn during the second week of trial. Rebel Wilson entered court in a vivid spring-green blazer over a crisp white shirt; UK producer Amanda Ghost - one of the producers Wilson called out, and who gave evidence the prior week - arrived in a structured olive utility jacket. Day two brought a costume change: Wilson swapped the loose blowout for a slicked-back low ponytail, paired with a white knit. Whether it's stylist coincidence or quietly emerging courtwear theory, green is having a moment on the 2026 defamation circuit. Full docket โ
Photo: Bianca de Marchi / AAP ยท via The Guardian
Photo: EPA ยท via BBC
Photo: Don Arnold / Getty ยท via People
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Navys & Whites ยท Federal Court of Australia ยท Week 2 ยท Apr-May 2026
Navys & Whites Make an Appearance — MacInnes v. Wilson, Week 2
After Week 1's spring-green moment, Week 2 of MacInnes v. Wilson at the Federal Court of Australia traded the chlorophyll for a sharper palette: navy & white, across all three principals. Rebel Wilson walked in smiling in a tailored navy blazer over a clean white tee, hair up — she'd later tell the court she's a "truth teller." Charlotte MacInnes arrived in a deep-navy V-neck with a cream shoulder bag — understated witness energy. UK producer Amanda Ghost — who flew from London to give evidence — rotated white ruffled blouse / red bag for arrival, then printed top + wide-leg navy trousers for testimony day. Three women, one color story. Full docket โ
Photo: NewsWire / John Appleyard
Photo: NewsWire / Nikki Short
Photo: NewsWire / Nikki Short ยท via news.com.au
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Mediation Matchy-Matchy ยท SDNY ยท Feb 2026
Lively v. Baldoni - "Twinzies" in Court
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni showed up to their court-ordered mediation on the 14th floor of a lower Manhattan courthouse - seated in separate rooms with their legal teams - and the internet immediately clocked that they appeared to be color-coordinated. Social media observers dubbed the looks "matchy matchy" and called them "twinzies!" Some theories: "Their stylists are telling them what colors look innocent" ยท "They asked an AI for fashion advice perhaps." The mediation ended without a settlement. Trial proceeds May 18. Full docket โ
Getty Images ยท Click for caption & photographer
More looks stacked as the trial proceeds.
PR Statements
On the Recordโ Scroll sideways · the statements that hit before the rulings.
Images: editorial use ยท news media ยท attorney profile photos ยท takedown
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PEOPLE v. d4vd
The Voices in the Case
FAMILY STATEMENT ยท APR 22, 2026
Rivas Hernandez Family
"Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste."
First public statement from Celeste's family after charges were filed. The family thanked LAPD, the DA's Office, and the people of Lake Elsinore for their support.
DEFENSE STATEMENT ยท APR 2026
d4vd Defense Team
"Let us be clear - the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death."
Issued days before formal charges were filed - a classic "we will vigorously defend innocence" preemptive PR move.
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THE PR WAR
Lively v. Baldoni ยท The Lawyers Go at It
DEFENSE ยท BRYAN FREEDMAN
Freedman for Baldoni / Wayfarer
"This is another desperate attempt by Ms. Lively to 'fix' her negative reputation by misrepresenting and ignoring the evidence."
A masterclass in aggressive defense PR. Freedman teased the release of Baldoni's receipts before filing the $400M countersuit. The strategy worked enough to get most individual defendants dismissed - and arguably to rehabilitate Baldoni's reputation in the court of public opinion.
PLAINTIFF CLAPBACK ยท APR 3, 2026
Gottlieb for Blake Lively
"The fact that Bryan Freedman is claiming exoneration based on legal technicalities while facing trial next month tells you everything you need to know."
After Freedman's victory lap on TMZ over the dismissed harassment claims, Gottlieb came out swinging - noting Freedman "had to bring in another law firm for the trial" and was reprimanded by the court last week for "legally frivolous claims."